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Home > Universal child care, maternal employment, and children’s long-run outcomes: Evidence from the US Lanham Act of 1940

Universal child care, maternal employment, and children’s long-run outcomes: Evidence from the US Lanham Act of 1940 [1]

Author: 
Herbst, C. M.
Source: 
Journal of Labor Economics
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
31 Jan 2019
AVAILABILITY
Access full PDF online [2]

Abstract

This paper analyzes the US Lanham Act of 1940, a heavily subsidized and universal child care program administered during World War II. I first estimate its impact on maternal employment using a triple-differences model. I find that employment increased substantially following the introduction of the program. I then study children’s long-run labor market outcomes. Using Census data from 1970 to 1990, I assess well-being in a life-cycle framework by tracking cohorts of treated individuals throughout their prime working years. Results from difference-in-differences models suggest the program had persistent positive effects, with the largest benefits accruing to the most economically disadvantaged adults.

Related link: 
Region: 
United States [3]

Source URL (modified on 27 Jan 2022):https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/19/10/universal-child-care-maternal-employment-and-children%E2%80%99s

Links
[1] https://childcarecanada.org/documents/research-policy-practice/19/10/universal-child-care-maternal-employment-and-children%E2%80%99s [2] http://www.chrisherbst.net/files/Download/C._Herbst_Lanham_Act_Child_Care.pdf [3] https://childcarecanada.org/taxonomy/term/7865