TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Bargain, Olivier B.
AU  - Vot, Julie Le
AU  - Herault, Nicolas
        TI  - Parental Leave Policy and Gender Attitudes
        PY  - 2026/Apr/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 18552
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp18552
        AB  - This paper examines whether family policy can shape gender attitudes. We exploit the introduction of a paid parental leave (PPL) scheme in Australia in 2011 and use panel data to study changes in women’s gender attitudes around childbirth. Prior to the reform, childbirth is associated with a shift toward more traditional attitudes. This pattern is reversed following the introduction of PPL, with exposed mothers becoming more egalitarian. These attitudinal changes are accompanied by increased post-birth employment and hours worked. Heterogeneity analyses are consistent with mechanisms whereby the policy both legitimizes women’s dual role as workers and caregivers and supports continued labor market attachment. The findings highlight how family policies can influence both gender role attitudes and labor market behavior.
        KW  - gender role attitudes
KW  - paid parental leave
KW  - labor market attachment
KW  - Australia
        ER  -