Universal Child Care, Maternal Employment, and Children's Long-Run Outcomes: Evidence from the US Lanham Act of 1940

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Herbst, Chris M.
• 署名单位: Arizona State University; Arizona State University-Tempe; IZA Institute Labor Economics
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/689478
• 发表日期: 2017
• 页码: 519-564
• 关键词: world-war-ii; single mothers; head-start; early intervention; subsidy receipt; perry preschool; young-children; program; IMPACT; wages

摘要

This paper analyzes the US Lanham Act of 1940, a heavily subsidized and universal child care program administered during World War II. I first estimate its impact on maternal employment using a triple-differences model. I find that employment increased substantially following the introduction of the program. I then study children's long-run labor market outcomes. Using Census data from 1970 to 1990, I assess well-being in a life-cycle framework by tracking cohorts of treated individuals throughout their prime working years. Results from difference-in-differences models suggest the program had persistent positive effects, with the largest benefits accruing to the most economically disadvantaged adults.