Estimates of the impact of having children on labour market outcomes can differ significantly depending on whether a parent is categorised as employed or non-employed during parental leave. This column uses data from Denmark to explore how parental leave dynamics relate to the timing and spacing of births and subsequent labour market outcomes. The findings reveal notable disparities in birth timing and spacing based on maternal education levels. These dynamics complicate the estimation of the child penalty and its effects on gender gaps in labour market outcomes.

Any unpublished manuscript mentioning certain topics, including gender and "LGBT," must be pulled or revised.