I thank Tim Besley for continuous advice and support, Klaus Abbink, Oriana Bandiera, Robin Burgess, Michela Cella, Guillermo Cruces, Berta Esteve-Volart, Erica Field, Markus Goldstein, Jim Hartley, Robert MacCulloch, Alan Manning, Pedro Martins, Luca Onorante, Krishna Pendakur, Barbara Petrongolo, Lupin Rahman, Jeffrey Wooldridge, the editor Rachel Griffith, one referee and various seminar participants for many useful comments. Financial support from STICERD, the University of Milan and the ESRC is gratefully acknowledged.
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The Effect of Women's Rights on Women's Welfare: Evidence from a Natural Experiment†
Article first published online: 2 MAR 2005
DOI: 10.1111/j.0013-0133.2005.00988.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
Pezzini, S. (2005), The Effect of Women's Rights on Women's Welfare: Evidence from a Natural Experiment. The Economic Journal, 115: C208–C227. doi: 10.1111/j.0013-0133.2005.00988.x
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 2 MAR 2005
- Article first published online: 2 MAR 2005
- Abstract
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This paper explores whether the welfare of women increased following the extension of women's rights between 1960s and 1990s. Using individual level data on life satisfaction and focusing on changes in birth control rights in twelve European countries, it shows that the extension of both abortion rights and the pill is strongly linked to an increase in life satisfaction of women of childbearing age. Birth control rights also increased women's investment in education, probability of working and income. Other women's rights have proved less beneficial. Mutual consent divorce laws decreased women's welfare. High maternity protection on the job has negligible effects.