Zihao Li L&S Sciences
The Effects of China's Two-Child Policy on Women's Labor Market Outcomes
In the past few decades, due to the strict implementation of the one-child policy in China, it had been almost impossible to conduct any research related to having a second child. However, China has been gradually relaxing this policy. Since November 2011, parents who are both the only child in their families may have two children. Since December 2013, couples in which only one parent is the only child may have two children. Finally, since October 2015, all couples are allowed to have two children. This policy change provides a unique opportunity to study the impacts of having (or hoping to have) a second child on Chinese women’s labor market outcomes, which is largely absent in existing literature.Therefore, my research project studies the effects of China’s two-child policy on women’s labor market outcomes. More specifically, how does having (or hoping to have) a second child impact women’s labor participation, income, working hours, and so on. It is one of the first studies that uses detailed individual-level panel data to quantitatively analyze such effects.
Message To Sponsor
I am very grateful to the Anselm M&PS Fund for funding my research. There have been huge debates for decades regarding China's family planning policy, and it was wonderful to have had the opportunity to delve into this topic and provide my own insights. Throughout this summer, I have become a more professional researcher and a more devoted individual. I look forward to attending graduate school and continuing my research career.