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The Decline of Sex Segregation and the Wage Gap, 1970-80

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  • Judith Fields
  • Edward N. Wolff

Abstract

This study makes use of 1970 and 1980 Census of Population employment and earnings data at the detailed occupation and industry level to examine changes in the distribution of the U.S. work force by sex and to assess their impact on relative female earnings. First, we find clear evidence that both occupational segregation and industrial segregation declined during these years. Second, high employment growth within an occupation is associated with declines in segregation. Third, declines in industry segregation within occupation are associated with improvements in relative female earnings independently of other factors which affect relative pay. Fourth, high employment growth is associated with improvements in relative female earnings, independently of its effect on occupational segregation. As a result, employment growth acts to reduce the wage gap directly, possibly by lowering barriers to women finding jobs at high wage firms, and also indirectly by lowering the degree of industrial segregation. These results thus suggest that barriers or discrimination against women tend to be lower in sectors where demand is strong.

Suggested Citation

  • Judith Fields & Edward N. Wolff, 1991. "The Decline of Sex Segregation and the Wage Gap, 1970-80," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 26(4), pages 608-622.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:26:y:1991:i:4:p:608-622
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Macpherson, David A & Hirsch, Barry T, 1995. "Wages and Gender Composition: Why Do Women's Jobs Pay Less?," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 13(3), pages 426-471, July.
    2. Barbezat D., 1993. "Occupational segmentation by sex in the world," ILO Working Papers 992989003402676, International Labour Organization.
    3. Lusi Liao & Sasiwimon W Paweenawat, 2020. "Is there a wage penalty for occupational feminization? Evidence from Thai labor market," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 40(3), pages 2143-2153.
    4. Xavier D'Haultfœuille & Roland Rathelot, 2017. "Measuring segregation on small units: A partial identification analysis," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 8(1), pages 39-73, March.
    5. repec:ilo:ilowps:298900 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Fan, Chengze Simon & Lui, Hon-Kwong, 2003. "Structural change and the narrowing gender gap in wages: theory and evidence from Hong Kong," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 10(5), pages 609-626, October.

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