RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Female Executives and the Motherhood Penalty
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 0521-11673R1
DO 10.3368/jhr.0521-11673R1
A1 Seth Murray
A1 Danielle H. Sandler
A1 Matthew Staiger
YR 2023
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2023/05/01/jhr.0521-11673R1.abstract
AB We use U.S. linked survey and administrative data to investigate whether the sex composition of a firm’s executives affect 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.