I CAN’T GET NO SATISFACTION: THE EFFECT OF THE QUEBEC PARENTAL INSURANCE PLAN ON PARENTS’ OVERALL LIFE SATISFACTION

Abstract

Despite the rising labour force participation rates of women and the gender wage gap closing, women are still more likely to take leave following the birth of a child. To promote fathers’ participation in parental leave, countries are implementing dad-only leave where a portion of leave is set aside for fathers. The 2006 Quebec Parental Insurance System is one such policy that offers increased benefits, lower eligibility requirements, and a five-week father-only leave. Using the 2005 and 2010 cycles of the General Social Surveys on time use and time stress and well-being, I will analyze the effect of the Quebec reform on parents’ overall life satisfaction. My results suggest the Quebec reform decreased the life satisfaction of Quebec fathers but had no effect on Quebec mothers. While my results provide some evidence to suggest changing gender roles and lower eligibility criteria are driving the results, further research is required.