Work–Family Policy Trade-Offs for Mothers? Unpacking the Cross-National Variation in Motherhood Earnings Penalties. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Budig, Michelle J.; Misra, Joya; Boeckmann, Irene
• Is Part Of: Work and occupations. Volume 43:Number 2(2016:May)
• Page Start: 119
• Page End: 177
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: family -- women -- earnings -- social policy; Occupations -- Periodicals; Professions -- Periodicals; 306.36
• DOI: 10.1177/0730888415615385
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-8884

Abstract

Recent scholarship suggests welfare state interventions, as measured by policy indices, create gendered trade-offs wherein reduced work–family conflict corresponds to greater gender wage inequality. The authors reconsider these trade-offs by unpacking these indices and examining specific policy relationships with motherhood-based wage inequality to consider how different policies have different effects. Using original policy data and Luxembourg Income Study microdata, multilevel models across 22 countries examine the relationships among country-level family policies, tax policies, and the motherhood wage penalty. The authors find policies that maintain maternal labor market attachment through moderate-length leaves, publicly funded childcare, lower marginal tax rates on second earners, and paternity leave are correlated with smaller motherhood wage penalties.