Women's Career Development after Childbearing: the Case of South Korea

This study explored women’s career development after childbearing in the context of South Korea from an individual level perspective. Data used for analysis are from wave 1 to 10 of Korea Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS). A 3-staged study analysis was designed. Logistic and hazard regression models were estimated, respectively. The results showed that entitlement to the maternity leave stimulated eligible women’s immediate return to the labor force after the first birth, especially after the launch of the job-protected Maternity Protection Act in 2001. Long work experience, strong earning power and great human capital accumulation also fostered women’s job continuity. A V-shaped timing of return was discovered for women who took a timeout after childbirth. They preferred to return either sooner or at a later time. Women’s return intensity was especially pronounced during the aftermath of financial crisis (1998-2001). Women's urgent desire to resume employment at critical period to protect families against social insecurity was argued to have contributed to the pattern. The length of timeout reduced women's chance of upward occupational move upon return but increased their likelihood of downward occupational move. Downward move was especially salient during the recession period and thereafter.