Sociology of the Family April 21, 2015
Wage Differentials: Mothers and Fathers Never married women under age 35 living in urban areas have largely closed the wage gap Wage gap increases for women over 35 How does the wage gap affect mothers?
Age and Wages Age 35 Many women start to earn higher salaries, but the wage gap between men and women widens Coincides with having children and starting families
The “Daddy” Bonus Fatherhood increases men’s earnings - especially white and Latino men Effect of fatherhood persists after controlling for “human capital variables” Bonus is very small for African-American men
The “Motherhood Penalty” Women experience a net loss of 4% in wages for every child Women in top earning bracket (top 10%) do not experience wage penalty Effect persists even for women who work in “family friendly” environments
Dual Earner Couples Family identity – arrangements of career and care-giving Traditional Non-traditional Outsourced Family First Egalitarian Men and women who aspire to “egalitarian” roles in career and family – difficult to uphold this ideal in current social structure
Discussion Questions What are the social problems facing families and what might be some solutions? Is an egalitarian model sustainable?