Three essays in labor economics

Abstract

This dissertation consists of three essays, two of them study the impact of policy regulation on an individual’s labor market decision, while the last one explores the recent changes in fertility patterns. Chapter 2 estimates the impacts of work permits on foreign-born female behaviors and labor market choices. In this chapter, I rely on the 2015 change in work permission for H-4 visa holders to study whether granting work permits increases the labor participation and employment rates of foreign-born women. Chapter 3 evaluates how labor law restrictions affect work decisions of targeted minors. Specifically, we focus on youth aged 16-17 and use the 2011 working hour restrictions removal in Wisconsin to investigate how loosening working hour regulations would affect youth employment. Chapter 4 examines the recent decline in fertility, particularly among Hispanic women of Mexican Ancestry. The decline is more pronounced among foreign-born women compared to their native counterparts. Decomposing analysis suggests that changing age structure might be the most relevant factor.