Parental leave uptake among migrant and native mothers: Can precarious employment trajectories account for the difference?

Abstract

Family policies such as parental leave schemes increasingly support the work–family balance. Low maternal employment in migrant populations raises questions on family policy uptake among mothers of migrant origin. This study documents differences in parental leave uptake between native and migrant mothers of different origin groups and generations, and assesses the extent to which precarious employment trajectories can account for these differentials. Using longitudinal data from Belgian social security registers, mixed-effects logit models of leave uptake, full-time or part-time leave uptake and the labour market position following leave are estimated for 10,976 mothers who entered parenthood between 2004 and 2010. Results indicate that uptake of parental leave is lower among mothers of migrant origin, since they fail to meet the eligibility criteria as a result of being overrepresented in unstable labour market positions. Whereas differential leave uptake can be accounted for by non-universal eligibility and precarious labour market trajectories, migrant-native differentials in part-time uptake and labour market positions following leave persist when controlling for pre-birth employment characteristics. The differential pattern of leave uptake among first-generation migrant women, in particular, is not explained by pre-birth employment characteristics, as they remain overrepresented in full-time leave, and first-generation mothers of non-European origin more frequently retreat from the labour force following leave. We conclude that difficult access to stable employment and non-universal eligibility are major factors explaining migrant-native differentials in parental leave use. As such, Belgian parental leave policies perpetuate labour market disadvantages by limiting support for work–family reconciliation to those already established in the labour force.

Is a positive link between human development and fertility attainable? Insights from the Belgian vanguard case

“…In addition, existing research demonstrates that it is particularly the higher educated dual earner households that benefit from the availability of subsidized service vouchers to gain leisure time (Marx & Vandelannoote, 2014). In contrast, low educated groups experience fewer labor market opportunities, lower returns to career investments, and have also been found to benefit to a lesser extent from work-family reconciliation policies as these policies mostly benefit those who are already established in the labor force (Bartova, 2015;Desmet et al, 2007;Kil et al, 2017;Liefbroer & Corijn, 1999;Van Lancker & Ghysels, 2012). In that sense, the emergence of a positive association between fertility and development might at least in part stem from an increasing polarization within society (Adsera, 2015).…”

Does Mothers’ Parental Leave Uptake Stimulate Continued Employment and Family Formation? Evidence for Belgium

“…The findings of this study are of potential interest to policy-makers in Belgium and other Western European countries with similar work-family reconciliation policies and parental leave design features. First and foremost, we contribute to a growing body of literature documenting the selectivity of parental leave uptake in contexts with employment-related eligibility criteria, limited parental leave benefits, and/or a generally low uptake of leave (Kil et al 2018;Lapuerta et al 2011;Merens and Keuzenkamp 2006;Rostgaard 2005). As parental leave provides a subsidised work-family combination during leave-taking, our finding that mothers who used leave were generally more strongly attached to the labour force and exhibited higher income levels, provides potential input for policy towards a more inclusive parental leave system.…”

“…Various sources show that from the introduction on, the popularity of parental leave has been increasing in tandem with the increasing flexibility of leave schemes. However, even when controlling for eligibility, previous research indicates that only a minority of parents use parental leave (Anxo et al 2007;Kil et al 2018). Despite noteworthy increases in male parental leave uptake, leave-taking by men remains strikingly low compared to uptake by mothers (Anxo et al 2007;Desmet et al 2007;OECD 2016a).…”

“…Third, the use of parental leave is also determined by opportunities and constraints. Whenever income replacement is low, such as in the Belgian case, affordability becomes an issue in the decision of whether or not to take up leave (Kil et al 2018;Lapuerta et al 2011). Hence the relation between leave-taking on the one hand and continued childbearing and maternal employment on the other may reflect differential patterns for different income or wealth groups.…”

“…Hence the relation between leave-taking on the one hand and continued childbearing and maternal employment on the other may reflect differential patterns for different income or wealth groups. In addition, the decision to take up leave also potentially depends on workplace-level constraints (e.g., norms towards leave-taking, supervisors' attitudes, available procedures) (Bygren and Duvander 2006;Kil et al 2018;Lapuerta et al 2011). Parents using leave are likely to be employed in a setting which is relatively supportive towards the work-family combination and continued childbearing, which needs to be taken into account when comparing outcomes, depending on leave uptake.…”