Marianne Bertrand

Marianne Bertrand, a Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School, dissects the surprising reluctance of Japanese men to take paternity leave. She reveals how entrenched cultural norms and employer pressures contribute to this trend despite generous policies. Bertrand shares insights on innovative solutions, including an engaging anime aimed at reshaping perceptions around paternity leave. This creative approach not only highlights the issues but also offers potential pathways for change in societal attitudes towards fatherhood in Japan.

Marianne Bertrand, a labor markets expert at Chicago Booth and Co-Chair of J-PAL, joins Stefano Caria from the University of Warwick to explore effective skills signaling for job seekers in low and middle-income countries. They discuss the challenges job seekers face in proving their qualifications amid information asymmetry. The conversation reveals how standardized certifications can enhance job outcomes and the role of social networks in hiring practices. They propose solutions like wage subsidies to improve hiring efficiency and suggest scaling up skill-signaling programs to boost employment.