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Are Mothers More Likely Than Fathers to Lose Their jobs?

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  • Benjamin Artz

    (University of Wisconsin Oshkosh)

Abstract

The motherhood wage penalty is often cited as a contributor towards the gender earnings gap. A common explanation involves women’s labor supply reductions after having children. Yet, the literature says little about whether mothers’ labor supply reductions are entirely voluntary. This study utilizes two US longitudinal panels to measure children’s impact on parent job loss. Mothers are significantly more likely than fathers to involuntarily lose their jobs. The gap is substantial, persists over time, is robust to various model specifications, exists among a host of demographic sub-samples, and is driven by gender differences in characteristic effects rather than levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Artz, 2024. "Are Mothers More Likely Than Fathers to Lose Their jobs?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 45(3), pages 528-545, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:45:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10834-023-09923-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-023-09923-x
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender gap; Job termination; Turnover; Parenthood; Decomposition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs

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