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Research ArticleArticles

The Gender Wage Gap among Young Adults in the United States

The Importance of Money versus People

Nicole M. Fortin
Journal of Human Resources, October 2008, 43 (4) 884-918; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.43.4.884
Nicole M. Fortin
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Abstract

Using two single-cohort longitudinal surveys, the NLS72 and the NELS88, I investigate the impact of four noncognitive traits—self-esteem, external locus of control, the importance of money/work and the importance of people/ family—on wages and on the gender wage gap among these young workers. I find that gender differences in these noncognitive factors, especially the importance of money/work, have a modest but significant role in accounting for the gender wage gap. Methodologically, this paper proposes a correction to the Oaxaca-Blinder-Ransom decomposition that results in a truly decomposable approach compatible with the simple pooled regression that includes a gender dummy.

  • Received May 2006.
  • Accepted February 2007.

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Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 43, Issue 4
2 Oct 2008
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The Gender Wage Gap among Young Adults in the United States
Nicole M. Fortin
Journal of Human Resources Oct 2008, 43 (4) 884-918; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.43.4.884

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The Gender Wage Gap among Young Adults in the United States
Nicole M. Fortin
Journal of Human Resources Oct 2008, 43 (4) 884-918; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.43.4.884
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