RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Female Executives and the Motherhood Penalty
JF Journal of Human Resources
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 1706
OP 1736
DO 10.3368/jhr.0521-11673R1
VO 60
IS 5
A1 Murray, Seth
A1 Sandler, Danielle H.
A1 Staiger, Matthew
YR 2025
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/60/5/1706.abstract
AB We use U.S. linked survey and administrative data to investigate whether the sex composition of a firm’s executives affects the earnings of new mothers. Our empirical strategy compares the earnings trajectories of new mothers to observably similar coworkers who did not give birth around that time. On average, mothers earn almost $2,000 less per quarter two years after birth, but the magnitude of these losses is unrelated to the female share of executives at the mothers’ employer. Our results suggest that increasing the representation of women in firms’ leadership positions will not reduce the motherhood penalty.