Reconciling work and family life: The effect of preschooling

Abstract

In France, the number of children has a causal negative impact on mothers' labour supply. This paper addresses the question of whether preschool reduces this effect and thus helps mothers to reconcile work and family life. Using the heterogeneity in the geographical distribution of the schooling rate of two-year-old children, I find that preschool helps college graduated mothers to reconcile work and family responsibilities when switching from two to more than two children. However, preschool does not help mothers without a college education to stay in the labour market as the number of children increases. © Presses de Sciences Po. Tous droits réservés pour tous pays.