Author(s)
Ariel Kalil
Susan E. Mayer
William Delgado
Lisa A. Gennetian
Studies document large differences in the amount of time mothers spend in childcare by maternal education, even when controlling for characteristics such as income, employment hours, and work schedules. One possible explanation for this observed difference is that highly educated mothers find time in childcare to be more enjoyable. To inform this hypothesis, we examine education-based differences in mothers’ average feelings during their time in childcare using pooled data from the 2010, 2012, and 2013 Well-being Modules of the American Time Use Survey. Among all mothers, spending time in childcare is associated with higher positive feelings than is spending time in other activities. However, highly educated mothers do not enjoy their time in childcare more than less-educated mothers. Findings are robust to controls for mother fixed effects.
Publication Type
Working Paper
File Description
First version, June 14, 2020
JEL Codes
D19: Household Behavior and Family Economics: Other
J13: Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
Keywords
maternal time in childcare
mothers' enjoyment of childcare
maternal education
time use