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Satisfaction and Self-employment: Do Men or Women Benefit More from Being Their Own Boss?

Author

Listed:
  • Karen Maguire

    (Oklahoma State University)

  • John V. Winters

    (Iowa State University
    Global Labor Organization (GLO)
    Institute of Labor Economics (IZA))

Abstract

This paper uses individual self-reported life satisfaction data to analyze the relationship between self-employment and subjective well-being by gender and race/ethnicity. We document substantial heterogeneity, with women appearing to benefit the most from self-employment. Self-employed women have significantly higher rates of being very satisfied relative to both traditionally employed women and self-employed men. We also find that the self-employed have higher rates of dissatisfaction, and this adverse relationship with self-employment is most pronounced for minorities. These nuanced findings broaden our understanding of the relationship between self-employment and subjective well-being and have important implications for both researchers and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Maguire & John V. Winters, 2020. "Satisfaction and Self-employment: Do Men or Women Benefit More from Being Their Own Boss?," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 46(4), pages 576-602, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:easeco:v:46:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1057_s41302-020-00169-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s41302-020-00169-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Well-being; Life satisfaction; Self-employment; Gender; Race;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J2 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor

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