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Testosterone and the Gender Wage Gap

Author

Listed:
  • Gielen, Anne C.

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Holmes, Jessica

    (Middlebury College)

  • Myers, Caitlin Knowles

    (Middlebury College)

Abstract

Testosterone, which induces sexual differentiation of the male fetus, is believed to transfer from males to their littermates in placental mammals. Among humans, individuals with a male twin have been found to exhibit greater masculinization of sexually dimorphic attributes relative to those with a female twin. We therefore regard twinning as a plausible natural experiment to test the link between prenatal exposure to testosterone and labor market earnings. For men, the results suggest positive returns to testosterone exposure. For women, however, the results indicate that prenatal testosterone does not generate higher earnings and may even be associated with modest declines.

Suggested Citation

  • Gielen, Anne C. & Holmes, Jessica & Myers, Caitlin Knowles, 2013. "Testosterone and the Gender Wage Gap," IZA Discussion Papers 7575, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7575
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. The impact of testosterone on wages
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2013-10-03 19:36:00

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    twins; gender wage gap; testosterone;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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