The Summer Drop in Female Employment

Abstract

Abstract We provide the first systematic account of summer declines in women’s labor market activity. From May to July, U.S. women’s employment-to-population ratio declines 1.1 p.p., whereas men’s rises; women’s hours worked fall 9.8%, twice the decline among men. School closures for summer break provide a unifying explanation. The summer drop aligns with cross-state differences in school closure timing, is concentrated among mothers with young school-aged children, and coincides with increased time spent on child care. Gender differences both within and across jobs explain gender gaps in summer exits from employment. Women’s summer work interruptions contribute to gender gaps in pay.

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