Gender di erences in sickness absence and the gender division of family responsibilities ∗

This study investigates possible reasons for the gender di erence in sickness absence. We estimate both shortand long-term e ects of parenthood in a within-couple analysis based on the timing of parenthood. We nd that after entering parenthood, women increase their sickness absence by between 0.5 days per month (during the child's third year) and 0.85 days per month (during year 17) more than their spouse. By investigating possible explanations for the observed e ect, we conclude that the e ect mainly stems from higher home commitment, which reduces women's labour market attachment and, in turn, increases female sickness absence.