Abstract
We analyzed the participation and childcare decisions made by mothers in two-parent households with children aged 0–12 in
the Netherlands, paying special attention to the role of attitudes regarding work and care. In a multinomial logit model we
distinguished between not working, a small part-time job, and a larger job. For working mothers we considered no childcare,
informal, and formal childcare. We accounted for potential endogeneity of attitudes. The results showed that the role of the
price of formal childcare in the decision-making process was negligible. A higher earnings capacity increased the take-up
of larger jobs and formal childcare. Modern attitudes had a strong impact on the decisions to work and to use childcare.
the Netherlands, paying special attention to the role of attitudes regarding work and care. In a multinomial logit model we
distinguished between not working, a small part-time job, and a larger job. For working mothers we considered no childcare,
informal, and formal childcare. We accounted for potential endogeneity of attitudes. The results showed that the role of the
price of formal childcare in the decision-making process was negligible. A higher earnings capacity increased the take-up
of larger jobs and formal childcare. Modern attitudes had a strong impact on the decisions to work and to use childcare.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s10834-012-9332-1
- Authors
- Edwin van Gameren, Centro de Estudios Económicos, El Colegio de México, Camino al Ajusco 20, Pedregal de Santa Teresa, CP 10740 Mexico City, Mexico
- Journal Journal of Family and Economic Issues
- Online ISSN 1573-3475
- Print ISSN 1058-0476