Parental Leave Policies and Gender EqualityA Survey of the Literature

  1. Lídia Farré 1
  1. 1 Universitat de Barcelona
    info

    Universitat de Barcelona

    Barcelona, España

    ROR https://ror.org/021018s57

Journal:
Estudios de economía aplicada

ISSN: 1133-3197,  1697-5731

Year of publication: 2016

Issue Title: Economía de género

Volume: 34

Issue: 1

Pages: 45-60

Type: Article

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More publications in: Estudios de economía aplicada

Abstract

Important gender differences still persist in many labor market outcomes. This paper argues that the design of parental leave policies can play an important role in shaping these differences. A summary of the literature reveals that extended maternity leave mandates increase female labor force participation at the cost of lower wages, less presence of women in high-profile occupations and a more traditional division of tasks within the family. Periods of leave exclusively reserved for fathers are proposed as a policy instrument to increase men's participation in family tasks and facilitate women's progress in the professional career. The paper concludes with a revision of these policies and their implications for gender equality.

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Funding information

Farré acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Catalonia (grant SGR2014-325) and the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Grant number ECO2014-59959-P-P

Funders

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