Working Fathers in Europe: Earning and Caring

Abstract

This article asks whether co-residential fathers who spend more time looking after their children work fewer hours and earn less than other fathers and non-fathers. The results suggest that to the contrary, fathers who spend more time with their children earn more per hour and work fewer hours per week, on average, than those who spend less time with their children. In other words, employed fathers who spend most time with their children also experience the most favourable labour market outcomes. Furthermore, prior labour market outcomes are positively correlated with a man becoming a father.