Childcare as Infrastructure: The Impact of COVID-19 on Childcare and Gender Equity

Alicia Sasser Modestino (), Zachary Finn (), Jamie Ladge () and Alisa Lincoln ()
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Alicia Sasser Modestino: Northeastern University
Zachary Finn: Northeastern University
Jamie Ladge: Boston College
Alisa Lincoln: Northeastern University

No 18004, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Conducting a nationally representative survey of 2,500 working parents between Mother's and Father's Day of 2020, we examine gender differences in the childcare shock during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on demographic, household, and labor market factors, we document gender differences in time use, work status, mental health, job satisfaction, and employer benefits. Using variation in pre-pandemic characteristics to measure exposure to the childcare shock, we find mothers in the more vulnerable group were 15 percentage points more likely to experience a reduction in hours due to childcare than similarly situated fathers. Although paid family leave helped narrow the gap in hours between mothers and fathers in the affected group, newer COVID-19 workplace practices such as working from home and childcare subsidies had no effect.

Keywords: household decision-making; gender differences; childcare; paid leave; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D13 D91 I30 J22 J28 J71 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 36 pages
Date: 2025-07
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