Many reasons are given for why women continue to earn less than men at the upper end of the income distribution, including gender discrimination and sexism. However, one seemingly timeless issue—the often-competing demands of the workplace and home—is still a key factor. Marianne Bertrand, the Chris P. Dialynas Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, discussed her recent research on this issue. In a recent paper Bertrand shows that despite spending less time in non-market work and with more equal division of such work among genders, women’s earning potential is still negatively impacted by such work-family considerations.

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Research Briefs·Oct 2, 2024

Moving to Opportunity, Together

Seema Jayachandran, Lea Nassal, Matthew J. Notowidigdo, Marie Paul, Heather Sarsons, and Elin Sundberg
When heterosexual couples in Germany and Sweden relocate, men’s earnings increase by 5-10%, while women’s do not change. Couples are more likely to relocate when the man, rather than the woman, is laid off. These gaps appear at least in...
Topics: Employment & Wages
Research Briefs·Jul 18, 2024

Historical Differences in Female-Owned Manufacturing Establishments: The United States, 1850-1880

Ruveyda Gozen, Richard Hornbeck, Anders Humlum, and Martin Rotemberg
During the late 1800s, manufacturing establishments owned by females were smaller than those owned by males and had lower capital-to-output ratios. Female-owned establishments employed more women and paid women higher wages, and were concentrated in sub-industries like women’s clothing and...
Topics: Employment & Wages
Research Briefs·May 23, 2024

Can You Erase the Mark of a Criminal Record? Labor Market Impacts of Criminal Record Remediation

Amanda Y. Agan,  Andrew Garin, Dmitri K. Koustas, Alexandre Mas, and Crystal Yang
Removing a previously obtained criminal record does not improve labor market outcomes, on average, with the notable exception of participation in gig work through online platforms.
Topics: Economic Mobility & Poverty, Employment & Wages