An Analysis of the Relationship between the Number of Children and Employment Choices among Married Women

Linjuan Cai*

This study examines the impact of the number of children and external factors on married women’s employment choices using probit models and Instrumental Variable (IV) regression with data from the International Social Survey Programme: Family and Changing Gender Roles IV. The analysis includes both an “employment choice” model and a “working hours” model to assess how fertility influences labour market outcomes. To address endogeneity, the study employs an IV measuring perceived restrictions on parental freedom, justified by the Second Demographic Transition Theory. While this variable reflects fertility preferences, it does not directly influence employment beyond its effect on child count, ensuring exogeneity. First-stage tests confirm relevance, with F-statistics exceeding the empirical threshold. Results show that having more children significantly increases women’s self-employment rates while reducing their likelihood of being employed by companies. IV regression further reveals that the effect of childbearing on employment varies by education level and husband’s employment status. Additionally, when the number of children increases, husbands are more likely to seek employment. These findings contribute to the literature on fertility and women’s employment, highlighting the need for family-friendly policies and cultural shifts to support women’s workforce participation while balancing family responsibilities. 

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Published on: Feb 8, 2025 Pages: 1-12

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/gjfr.000027
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