Sebastien Fontenay (Pompeu Fabra University)
Libertad González
We investigate the impact of paternity leave policies on gender role attitudes in the next generation. We measure gender-stereotypical attitudes using an Implicit Association Test with 3,000 online respondents in five countries. Using an RD design, we observe a significant reduction in gender-stereotypical attitudes among men born post-paternity leave implementation. This shift is reflected in career choices, as men whose fathers were affected by the reform are more inclined to pursue counter-stereotypical jobs, particularly in high-skilled occupations like healthcare and education. Our findings highlight how paternity leave fosters egalitarian gender norms and affects the occupational choices of the next generation.