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Title: Child-Custody Reform, Marital Investment in Children, and the Labor Supply of Married Mothers

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2011

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Abstract: Research on child custody primarily focuses on the well-being of children following divorce. We extend this literature by examining how the prospect of joint child custody affects within-marriage investment in children through changes in household bargaining power. Variation in the timing of joint-custody reforms across states provides a natural-experiment framework with which to examine within-marriage investment in children. The probability of children's private school attendance declines by 12% in states that adopt joint-custody laws. We also find evidence linking joint-custody reform to higher rates of labor force participation for married mothers, which may indicate less time devoted household production.

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Authors: Seals, Richard A.; Nunley, John M.

Periodical (Full): Labour Economics

Issue: 1

Volume: 18

Pages: 14-24

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Education, Family and Marriage, Labor Force and Occupational Structure

Countries: United States