This project explores the connections between the provision of child care services and career opportunities of women and men in Switzerland. The project will include quantitative and quali-tative analyses.
Background
The birth of the first child represents the key moment that sets the course for labour division within the family. It is still mostly women who reduce their paid employment and take on the new child care tasks, whereas most men have the traditional role of breadwinner. Mothers’ (temporary) withdrawal from working life and reduction of their work hours result in career and pay inequalities. Several studies showed that child care services contribute towards overcoming inequalities between men and women: countries which provide better child care services show a higher labour force participation rate of women and less unequal pay due to gender.
Aim
The study aims to find out what role child care services play in gender equality in Switzerland. The main question is how provision of child care services with all its components – supply, price, quality – and also the associated tax rulings have an effect on family planning (time when family is started, number of children) and current paid employment status of men and women (decision to work, work-time percentage, pay, position). For the quantitative analysis the researchers will combine data from the Swiss Labour Force Survey with new national data on the child care services supply. In a further step, the findings will be examined in-depth by means of qualitative interviews.
Significance
The study findings should be incorporated into practical recommendations for actors in the gender equality and family policy areas. Here the researchers aim to show what measures in the area of child care services are the most effective in contributing towards gender equality.
Original title: Gleichstellung der Geschlechter: Welche Rolle spielt die familien-ergänzende Kinderbetreuung?
Grant: CHF 318‘870.-
Duration: 30 months
Project leaders
- Dr. Rolf Iten, Infras AG, Zurich
- Professor Michael Lechner, Schweizerisches Institut für Empirische Wirtschaftsforschung (SEW-HSG), University of St. Gallen