Fathers' Uptake of Parental Leave and Its Effects on Continued Childbearing: Evidence from the 2004 Parental Reform in Estonia

Allan Puur, Tallinn University
Sanan Abdullayev, Tallinn University
Martin Klesment, Tallinn University

This study complements the literature by analyzing fathers’ uptake of parental leave in Estonia after the 2004 policy reform that introduced generous earnings-related benefits with a long duration of payment. We seek answers to three research questions: i) how has fathers’ share of parental leave evolved after the reform, ii) what are the main factors influencing the decision whether fathers take parental leave, and iii) is there an association between fathers’ taking of parental leave and continued fertility. The study draws on data from administrative registers on parental leave episodes from 2004 to 2018. The study employs descriptive methods, logistic regression, and mixture cure models. We find that the increase in fathers’ uptake of parental leave reflects the diffusion and growing acceptance of the new practices among couples. The biggest difference in fathers’ uptake of parental leave relates to income suggesting that couples in Estonia are primarily based on considerations of economic optimization when making decisions about parental leave, while the arguments of bargaining theory receive less support. Couples where the father took parental leave exhibit somewhat faster progression to second and third birth, however, with no significant increase in the odds of having another child.

Keywords: Fertility, Population Policies, Gender Dynamics, Quantum and tempo effects

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