Gender-Specific Occupational Following and Gender Differences in Occupational Choice

This paper uses administrative data to show that occupational following—when children enter their parent’s occupation—varies significantly by the gender of the parent and the child. While children are disproportionately likely to choose an occupation if it is held by either parent, they are more likely to choose the occupation held by their same-sex parent, throughout the income distribution. Sons are more likely to enter their father’s occupation in female-dominated occupations, and daughters are more likely to enter their mother’s occupation in male-dominated occupations. Last, gender-specific occupational following is a key driver behind overall gender differences in occupational choice.