Wind of Change? Cultural Determinants of Maternal Labor Supply

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Boelmann, Barbara; Raute, Anna; Schonberg, Uta
• 署名单位: University of Cologne; Leibniz Association; RWI - Leibniz Institut fur Wirtschaftsforschung; IZA Institute Labor Economics; University of London; Queen Mary University London; Leibniz Association; Ifo Institut; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK; University of Hong Kong; University of London; University College London
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-APPLIED ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7782
• DOI: 10.1257/app.20220567
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 41-74
• 关键词: market outcomes; force participation; role attitudes; gender-gap; work; women; Germany; mothers; transmission; parenthood

摘要

We investigate the role of cultural norms in shaping women's labor supply decisions after childbirth. Specifically, we are interested in the interplay between childhood socialization and adulthood environment. To that end, we leverage the setting of the German reunification when East Germany's gender-egalitarian culture induced by socialism and West Germany's more traditional culture were brought together. We find that East German gender norms are persistent, whereas West German ones are not. West German mothers adjust their behavior to that of their East German peers not only when immersed in East German environment but even after returning to the West. (JEL D91, J13, J16, J22, N34, Z13)