Abortion and Female Labor Force Participation: Evidence Prior to Roe v. Wade

Abstract

From 1969 through 1972, and therefore prior to Roe v Wade, several states legalized abortion. I examine whether the liberalization of state abortion laws affects female labor force participation using data from the March Current Population Survey (CPS) and estimate several probit participation equations. Results indicate that abortion, by reducing unwanted pregnancies and hence fertility rates, has increased the labor force participation rates of females, especially single black women. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]