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Life-Cycle Labor-Force Participation of Married Women: Historical Evidence and Implications

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  • Goldin, Claudia

Abstract

The seven-fold increase, since 1920, in the labor force participati on rate of married women was not accompanied by a substantial increase in average work experience among employed married women. Two data sets, giving life-cycle labor-force histories for cohorts of women born from the 1880s to 1910s, indicate considerable (unconditional) heterogeneity in labor-force participation. Employed married women had substantial attachment to their jobs; increased participation brought in women with little prior work experience. Average work experience among cross sections of employed married women increased from 9.1 to 10.5 years over the 1930-50 period. Implications for "wage discrimination" are discussed. Copyright 1989 by University of Chicago Press.

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  • Goldin, Claudia, 1989. "Life-Cycle Labor-Force Participation of Married Women: Historical Evidence and Implications," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 7(1), pages 20-47, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:v:7:y:1989:i:1:p:20-47
    DOI: 10.1086/298197
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    1. Goldin, Claudia D., 1984. "The historical evolution of female earnings functions and occupations," Scholarly Articles 30703975, Harvard University Department of Economics.
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