Effects of Coresidence with Parents on First Childbirth

Abstract

In this paper, we attempt to unveil the effects of coresidence with parents and parents-in-law on the first childbirth of women in their first marriage. We develop and examine various theoretical perspectives by utilizing the Korea Labor and Income Panel Study from 1998 to 2008. Cox proportional hazards model is employed coupled with technical strategies to prevent plausible bias in empirical estimates due to effect heterogeneity and reverse causality. We find coresidence with mother is likely to enhance the chance of first childbirth after controlling for the number of family members. The estimate seems not to be contaminated by reverse causality. We suggest relevant policy recommendations and outline future research agenda.