Abstract
This research examined the effect of parental leave policies and socio-economic factors on labor force participation in 29 OECD countries, with a focus on the United States, Germany, and Turkey. The aim of the study was to determine how various aspects of policy and demographic factors impact parents’ choice to remain or exit the labor market. Through an interdisciplinary analysis of economic and feminist theory and literature, this study found mixed results. The results of regression analysis did not support the hypotheses; however, several lessons about intersectional research were revealed. Mainly, the need for comprehensive parental leave policies is not necessarily justified through purely statistical research. The complexities of human and social identity transcend quantitative analysis.
Advisor
Burnell, Barbara
Second Advisor
Vesey, Alyxandra
Department
Economics; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Recommended Citation
Smith, Heather, "Get You a Girl That Can Do Both: A Feminist Economic Analysis of Parental Leave Policies and Labor Force Participation in the United States, Germany, and Turkey" (2017). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 7790.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/7790
Disciplines
Comparative Politics | Econometrics | Economic Policy | Economic Theory | Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Labor Economics | Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation | Social Policy
Keywords
parental leave, united states, germany, turkey, labor force participation, feminism, economics
Publication Date
2017
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2017 Heather Smith