Family and Inequality: Leisure-related Opportunity Costs and the Transition to Motherhood – A Panel Analysis

Abstract

Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (1992– 2009), we analyze the impact of both the quantity and specific types of leisure activity on the risk of the transition to parenthood two years later. With regard to the leisure time budget, neither timing nor level effects are found once third variables (above all, partnership type) are controlled for. Concerning specific types of leisure activity, respondents with a strong preference for out-of-home leisure activities delay having their first child (timing effect), but do not end up with a higher level of childlessness at age 41.