Aligning School and Work: How After-School Care Shapes Maternal Labor Supply

Guanfu Fang, Benyu Qian and Zhong Zhao ()
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Guanfu Fang: School of Business, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics
Benyu Qian: School of Economics, Jinan University
Zhong Zhao: Renmin University of China

No 18949, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

Abstract: This paper examines the labor market effects of China's After-School Care policy—commonly known as the After-School 3:30 PM Service reform—on maternal employment and earnings. Introduced in 2017, the policy addresses the longstanding mismatch between early school dismissal times and standard work schedules by extending on-campus supervision and enrichment activities into the late afternoon. Exploiting the staggered rollout of the program across counties and over time, we show that the policy significantly increases mothers' labor supply and earnings. We document null effects for fathers. The policy operates by reducing maternal housework time, enabling longer commutes, and facilitating access to formal employment, while also inducing firms to increase job postings for female workers. Effects are concentrated among mothers with egalitarian gender attitudes, with minimal impact on those holding traditional views.

Keywords: after-school care; maternal labor supply; gender norms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J13 J16 J18 J22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-09
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