Content and Objectives

In Germany and many other industrialised countries, the labour force participation of mothers and the extent of their employment have increased significantly. Against the background of demographic change and the declining labour force potential, this development is expected to continue. As a result, family life and the environment in which children grow up have also changed permanently. However, the conditions and possibilities of parents to reconcile work and family vary according to their employment characteristics, for example the type of occupations and the characteristics of the workplace, as well as according to regional factors. This research project empirically investigates the extent to which labour market conditions and workplace characteristics of mothers influence family life, children's learning environment and their cognitive and non-cognitive development in the first ten years of life. From a longitudinal perspective, the role of the local macroeconomic labour market in relation to the availability of childcare places for maternal employment and child development is examined. Furthermore, factors that contribute to the family-friendliness of workplaces are analysed. Their relevance for child development will also be considered. The project will also focus on the special situation during the Corona pandemic. As differences in labour market conditions and workplace characteristics are also related to socio-economic characteristics of the family, the project will contribute to understanding how maternal labour market and workplace characteristics are related to socio-economic inequalities in children's early development, but also later in life.

Overall, the project strengthens the focus of the research group "Education and Human capital" in the area of early childhood development and addresses the role of labour market integration of women for children. Results can be used as a basis for improvements in the reconciliation of work and family life and show the need for action in working conditions according to socio-economic characteristics. There are thematic points of contact with Research Groups 1.1 "Family" and 1.2 "Fertility", for example with the influence of workplace characteristics on fertility decisions or the role of working from home for the compatibility and development of children.