Continuity and change in women's occupations following first childbirth

This paper focuses on the effects of parenthood on women's occupational choice. In particular, the paper examines the effect of occupational characteristics on the likelihood of returning to the labor force after giving birth, and remaining in same occupation. Method. The analysis is based on a sample of young Israeli mothers. Using multinomial logistic regression, the paper analyzes the likelihood of mothers to interrupt employment, change occupation, or return to same position following the birth of a child. Results. The findings indicate that women employed in female-type occupations are more likely to resume market activity and less likely to change their occupations. Moreover, women who change their initial occupations tend to move into a female-type occupation. This pattern of stability and change in employment is attributed both to economic factors and to employment conditions. Conclusions. The study suggests that the organization of work within occupations affects women's employment decisions. Female-type occupations which offer relatively high prestige and convenient working hours attract women to the labor force. While increasing the continuity of employment, these market structures also contribute to the ghettoization of females in the labor force.