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Citation onlyAustralian Journal of Labour Economics
Volume 10 Issue 2 (June 2007)
Time Use among New Mothers, the Economic Value of Unpaid Care Work and Gender Aspects of Superannuation Tax Concessions
Abstract: Population aging requires policies addressing 'population, participation and productivity'. By failing to acknowledge women's productive work in the unpaid care economy, current retirement income policies may reduce incentives to invest in children, the future labour force, and thereby heighten the economic task of addressing the aging problem.
A nationwide time use survey of new mothers conducted during 2005-06 highlights the time intensity of caring for infants, and its negative impact on women's current and future labour market earnings. Meanwhile, growing scientific evidence points to potential trade offs between infant health and development and full time maternal employment in the early months of life.
Time is an economic resource that may be allocated to non-market, as well as market, production. Women make substantial investments in human capital through unpaid work bearing and raising children. Current retirement income policies disadvantage and discriminate against this economic contribution in the non-market economy. This works against the national economic reform agenda which seeks to raise future labour productivity through quality early care of children and a healthier labour force.
To cite this article: Smith, Julie. Time Use among New Mothers, the Economic Value of Unpaid Care Work and Gender Aspects of Superannuation Tax Concessions [online]. Australian Journal of Labour Economics, Vol. 10, No. 2, June 2007: 99-114. Availability: <http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=052911359396319;res=IELBUS> ISSN: 1328-1143. [cited 26 May 12].
A nationwide time use survey of new mothers conducted during 2005-06 highlights the time intensity of caring for infants, and its negative impact on women's current and future labour market earnings. Meanwhile, growing scientific evidence points to potential trade offs between infant health and development and full time maternal employment in the early months of life.
Time is an economic resource that may be allocated to non-market, as well as market, production. Women make substantial investments in human capital through unpaid work bearing and raising children. Current retirement income policies disadvantage and discriminate against this economic contribution in the non-market economy. This works against the national economic reform agenda which seeks to raise future labour productivity through quality early care of children and a healthier labour force.
Personal Author: Smith, Julie
Source: Australian Journal of Labour Economics, Vol. 10, No. 2, June 2007: 99-114
Document Type: Journal Article
ISSN: 1328-1143
Subject: Women -- Employment -- Government policy; Retirement income -- Taxation -- Australia; Retirement income -- Government policy -- Australia; Mothers -- Employment -- Australia
Peer Reviewed: Yes 
Affiliation:
(1) Australian Centre for Economic Research on Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, email: julie.smith@anu.edu.au
Database: Business Collection
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