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Although the birth of a child hardly affects men’s employment, 40% of women report that their working pattern is affected. Stopping work for a short time or reducing working hours occurs more frequently after second or third births than after the first. The women most committed to their working careers, single mothers and those with unemployed partners are the least likely to stop work or cut back their working hours. The least qualified, those with casual jobs or with an employed partner are most likely to leave the labour market.