East and West German Family Policy Compared: The Distribution of Childrearing Costs

Abstract

This paper examines differences in the costs and subsidies of childrearing in East and West Germany in 1989–1990. A model of childrearing costs is followed by a review of research comparing the distribution of such costs in East and West Germany and a review of methodology for estimating parents' foregone earnings and leisure. The latter are then estimated, using German Socio-Economic Panel data on households with male–female co-resident parents. These estimates are followed by analyses of the distribution of childrearing costs among mothers, fathers, and the state in each country, based on alternate assumptions regarding household income pooling. Comparative Economic Studies (2003) 45, 63–86. doi:10.1057/palgrave.ces.8100002

Do costs and benefits of children matter for religious people? Perceived consequences of parenthood and fertility intentions in Poland

“…They have also indicated that emotional values of children became central in modern societies, while the importance of instrumental values have diminished (Nauck, 2007;Mayer & Trommsdorff, 2010;Nauck, 2014). In terms of costs, it has been highlighted that due to rising employment of women, opportunity costs of having children have risen considerably (Moss, 1988) and represent an important part of the overall costs of childbearing (Duggan, 2003).…”