Single Motherhood in East and West Germany: What Can Explain the Differences?

Uwe Jirjahn

European Journal of Comparative Economics, 2018, vol. 15, issue 2, 197-229

Abstract: The share of single mothers is higher in East Germany than in West Germany. Using data from the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), we examine two transmission channels leading to single motherhood, namely out-of-partnership births and separations of couples with minor children. Women in East Germany have both a higher probability of out-of-partnership birth and a higher probability of separation. We find no evidence that availability of child care plays a role in the differences between East and West Germany. The differences in single motherhood appear to be rather driven by different gender role models and partially also by economic circumstances.

Keywords: Out-of-partnership birth; separation of couples; cohabitation; child care; unemployment; gender role models; transition economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Working Paper: Single Motherhood in East and West Germany: What Can Explain the Differences? (2015)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:liu:liucej:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:197-229

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