The impact of the COVID-19 recession on Mexican households: evidence from employment and time use for men, women, and children

Abstract

This study examines changes in labor supply, income, and time allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. Using an event-study design, we show that the COVID-19 recession had severe negative consequences for Mexican households. In the first month of the pandemic, employment declined by 17 percentage points. Men recovered their employment faster than women, where men’s employment approaches original levels by 2021Q2. Women, on the other hand, experienced persistent employment losses. Within-household, men also increased their time spent on household chores while neither gender (persistently) increased their time caring for others. Instead, children reduced their time spent on schoolwork by 25%.

Parental mental health and child anxiety during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Latin America

“…Most mental health services are provided primarily through large psychiatric hospitals concentrated in large cities, with few community‐based mental health services available including in primary health care settings (Martinez et al., 2017 ). Thus, access to high‐quality mental health services was a major challenge in Mexico before Covid‐19 that has likely been exacerbated by the severe economic impacts of the pandemic on this country (Hoehn‐Velasco et al., 2022 ).…”

COVID-19 and the gendered impacts on adolescent wellbeing: Evidence from a cross-sectional study of locally adapted measures in Ethiopia, Jordan, and Palestine

“… 6 Studies of adolescent time use during the pandemic in LMICs also highlight how economically disadvantaged adolescents are particularly vulnerable to early entry into the labour force and/or high levels of household responsibility (such as child care). 2 , 7 , 8 Gendered impacts on time use compound the mental health impacts of the pandemic; for women and girls, increases in (unpaid) domestic responsibilities such as child and elder care and household chores 9 , 10 put them at greater risk of mental disorders, such as anxiety. 2 Meanwhile, increased pressure to support the household through paid work may have negative impacts on boys’ wellbeing.…”

“… 2 Meanwhile, increased pressure to support the household through paid work may have negative impacts on boys’ wellbeing. 8 …”

Conflict resolution under the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Since the announcement of the national lockdown, all schools in Mexico remained closed through the end of 2020, causing children to reduce their time spent on school-work (e.g. distance learning) by 25% (Hoehn-Velasco et al , 2020b). Also, 17% of individuals experienced job loss while increasing household production (Hoehn-Velasco et al , 2020b).…”

“…distance learning) by 25% (Hoehn-Velasco et al , 2020b). Also, 17% of individuals experienced job loss while increasing household production (Hoehn-Velasco et al , 2020b). Through the end of the year, employment figures suggested a long downturn in employment, meaning that jobs are not recovering as fast as in other economies (Hoehn-Velasco et al , 2021a).…”