Universal Preschool and Mothers' Employment

• In Event: 250 - Regular Session. Work-Family in International Context

Abstract

Universal preschool enrollment was implemented in Mexico through a phased-in scheme from 2002 to 2008. A subsequent increase in preschool enrollment was observed. In 2012, mothers represent 58% of the female labor force, and I hypothesized that higher preschool enrollment positively impacted mothers’ employment. Through a difference-in-difference analysis, I exploited the state-year variation in preschool enrollment to measure its effect on mothers’ employment. I compared labor outcomes of mothers of preschool-age children to mothers of younger children, mothers of older children and non-mothers. Data came from the Mexican Income and Expenditure Household Survey and the Mexican Ministry of Education. Results indicated that higher preschool enrollment increased the employment of mothers of 3– and 4–year old children by 8 to 18 percentage points (pp), respectively, in comparison to mothers of younger children. When compared to mothers of older children, higher preschool enrollment increased mothers’ employment by 6 to 14 pp, and when compared to non-mothers the employment increase ranged from 18 to 15 pp. In adjusted models where treatment was subject to a child’s actual preschool enrollment (and age of the child varied), the effect was higher for mothers of children enrolled in first year of preschool across all comparison groups. For mothers of children enrolled in second year of preschool, changes were smaller but remained statistically significant. When predicted enrollment by state and year was used instead of the observed enrollment rate, estimates remained positive and significant for mothers of 3- and 4-year olds across all comparison groups.

Author

• Elia De la Cruz Toledo, Columbia University