Public Policies and Women's Employment after Childbearing

47 Pages Posted: 25 Jan 2009 Last revised: 24 Jul 2022

See all articles by WenJui Han

WenJui Han

Columbia University - School of Social Work

Christopher J. Ruhm

University of Virginia - Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Jane Waldfogel

IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Columbia University - School of Social Work; London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

Elizabeth Washbrook

University of Bristol

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 2009

Abstract

This paper examines how the public policy environment in the United States affects work by new mothers following childbirth. We examine four types of policies that vary across states and affect the budget constraint in different ways. The policy environment has important effects, particularly for less advantaged mothers. There is a potential conflict between policies aiming to increase maternal employment and those maximizing the choices available to families with young children. However, this tradeoff is not absolute since some choice-increasing policies (generous child care subsidies and state parental leave laws) foster both choice and higher levels of employment.

Suggested Citation

Han, WenJui and Ruhm, Christopher J. and Waldfogel, Jane and Washbrook, Elizabeth, Public Policies and Women's Employment after Childbearing (January 2009). NBER Working Paper No. w14660, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1332599

WenJui Han (Contact Author)

Columbia University - School of Social Work ( email )

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Christopher J. Ruhm

University of Virginia - Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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IZA Institute of Labor Economics ( email )

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Jane Waldfogel

IZA Institute of Labor Economics ( email )

Columbia University - School of Social Work ( email )

622 W. 113th Street
New York, NY 10025
United States

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) ( email )

Elizabeth Washbrook

University of Bristol

University of Bristol,
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Bristol, Avon BS8 ITH
United Kingdom