ABSTRACT
In this chapter, micro-economic models are used to analyse the relation between the labour market participation of women and the presence of children in a household, Economic theory can help to explain the labour supply of men and women, their participation rates, their wish for part-time jobs and the need for (subsidized) professional childcare centres. It may also help to increase the understanding of policy makers, employers and (potential) employees themselves, so that they can develop strategies for reaching their targets. The labour supply models are based on the neoclassical model of consumer behaviour. We will use this model only as a starting point. It is quite restrictive and not sophisticated enough to explain the relation between the presence of children and female labour supply.
