The Effects of Longer School Days on Mothers' Labor Force Participation

42 Pages Posted: 4 Sep 2015

See all articles by Matias Berthelon

Matias Berthelon

Adolfo Ibanez University

Diana I. Kruger

Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Melanie Alejandra Oyarzun

Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso

Abstract

Lack of adequate childcare is a main reason women cite for not participating in the labor force. We investigate the effect of a reform that lengthened school schedules from half to full days in Chile – essentially providing zero-cost childcare – on different maternal labor participation outcomes. We identify the effect of the policy from its implementation across municipalities over time and rule out alternative explanations, finding evidence of positive and important effects on participation and more permanent attachment to the labor force. Additionally, we also find results are driven by the provision of full day schooling in 1st and 2nd grades.

Keywords: full day schooling, primary education, female labor participation, education reform, Chile

JEL Classification: H4, J2, J4, I2

Suggested Citation

Berthelon, Matias and Kruger, Diana I. and Oyarzun, Melanie Alejandra, The Effects of Longer School Days on Mothers' Labor Force Participation. IZA Discussion Paper No. 9212, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2655161 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2655161

Matias Berthelon (Contact Author)

Adolfo Ibanez University ( email )

Diagonal Las Torres 2640 Peñaleón
Presidente Errázuriz 3485 Las Condes
Santiago, 794-1169
Chile

Diana I. Kruger

Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso ( email )

Avenida Brasil 2950
Casilla 4059, Valparaiso, 2362736
Chile
56-32-27-33-52 (Phone)
56-32-27-34-24 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ucv.cl

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Melanie Alejandra Oyarzun

Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso ( email )

Avenida Brasil 2950
Escuela de Comercio - UCV
Valparaiso, Valparaiso 2362736
Chile

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