Factors Influencing the Mothers' Decision to Return to Work After the Birth of their First Child: A Study in Pasong Camachille I, General Trias, Cavite

Date

6-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Divine Krizza P. Cruz

Committee Member

Jhoana V. Alcalde, Gideon P. Carnaje, Maria Angeles O. Catelo

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Abstract

Although the Philippines has a strong economic trajectory and relatively high gender equality rankings, significant gender disparities persist in labor force participation, particularly among married women and mothers. Statistics show that the married women's participation declines by 7 - 14 percentage points during childbearing years, largely due to marriage, childbirth, and caregiving responsibilities. Domestic duties, which disproportionately fall on women, further reduce their likelihood of engaging in paid work. This study focused on examining the factors influencing a mother’s decision to return to work or leave the workforce after the birth of her first child.

Using binary logistic regression, the analysis identified significant relationships between return-to-work decisions and variables classified into three categories: Individual Characteristics, Household Attributes, and Work Attributes. This study determined the factors influencing mothers’ decisions to return to work after the birth of their first child, focusing on 170 respondents from Barangay Pasong Camachile I. Results revealed that education, availability of caretakers and maternity leave policies in the workplace, type of employment and time spent with child significantly affect the decision of the mother to return to work after the birth of the first child. Higher education is negatively associated with return-to-work, while the availability of caretakers and the presence of maternity leave policies significantly increase the probability of workforce re-entry. The type of employment showed a significant positive effect, which suggests that regular employment has significantly higher re-entry rates. Mothers without maternity leave tend to delay reentry by several years. In conclusion, these factors play a critical role in shaping mothers' decisions and timing of workforce re-entry after childbirth.

Language

English

LC Subject

Working mothers, Free choice of employment, Maternity leave, Labor supply

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2025 E2 J35

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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