Wind of Change? Cultural Determinants of Maternal Labor Supply

Barbara Boelmann (), Uta Schoenberg and Anna Raute
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Barbara Boelmann: University of Cologne

No 2409, RF Berlin - CReAM Discussion Paper Series from Rockwool Foundation Berlin (RF Berlin) - Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (CReAM)

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: gender gaps; cultural persistence; cultural adoption; maternal labor force participation; German reunification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 J2 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-his and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Wind of Change? Cultural Determinants of Maternal Labor Supply (2020)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:crm:wpaper:2409

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