Women’s Labor Force Participation Following Parenthood In China: Cohort Differences And Educational Variations

In the context of consistent declines in women’s labor force participation in China, this study investigates the changes and variations in maternal employment, which have significant implications for gender inequality in both work and family. Previous research on maternal employment has primarily focused on period effects. However, less is known about cohort changes and social disparities therein. Using data from the 1991-2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey, this study examines the associations of maternal employment patterns with birth cohort and educational attainment. Results from multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models reveal substantial cohort differences in mean levels of and rates of change in women’s labor force participation following motherhood. The effect of higher educational attainment on elevated participation rates remains salient across the postpartum period. These findings underscore the impact of macro-level social and historical changes in shaping individual life trajectories and educational disparities in the post-reform era China.