Parental time investments and instantaneous wellbeing in the United States

Bosworth, Steven J., Gimenez-Nadal, Jose Ignacio and Sevilla, Almudena (2024) Parental time investments and instantaneous wellbeing in the United States. Scottish Journal of Political Economy. ISSN 0036-9292 (In Press)

Text (Bosworth_Gimenez_Sevilla_SJPE 2024) - Accepted Version Pending embargo until 1 January 2100. Download (654kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between maternal education, child-care time, and wellbeing in the US, with a particular focus on the role of societal norms. Highly educated mothers spend more time on childcare compared to their less educated counterparts. Drawing on data from the American Time Use Survey's Well-Being Modules (2012, 2013, 2021), this research provides a comprehensive examination of maternal activities and wellbeing. Notably, educated mothers consistently experience reduced instantaneous happiness during childcare, across various caregiving tasks, despite investing greater time in them. To better understand this pattern, we introduce an identity economics model whose predictions are consonant with the empirical findings. Our model illustrates how societal gender roles differentially influence patterns of time allocation by mothers’ education and impact their instantaneous and overall wellbeing.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2024
Divisions:	Social Policy
Subjects:	J Political Science H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman H Social Sciences
JEL classification:	D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics > D13 - Household Production and Intrahousehold Allocation I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare and Poverty > I31 - General Welfare; Basic Needs; Living Standards; Quality of Life; Happiness J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J1 - Demographic Economics > J13 - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
Date Deposited:	26 Sep 2024 14:57
Last Modified:	18 Oct 2024 08:27
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/125542

Actions (login required)

View Item