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Household decisions and the gender gap in job satisfaction

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  • Christian Bredemeier
  • Patrick Ndlovu
  • Sunčica Vujić
  • Roland Winkler

Abstract

This paper offers a novel theoretical explanation for the gender gap in job satisfaction, where women typically report higher job satisfaction than men. We argue that rational family decisions can result in divergent job choices for women and men, leading to increased job satisfaction but lower earnings for women, even when their preferences and expectations align with those of men. We develop this explanation within a theoretical model of family household decision‐making that considers relative earnings disparities within households. We provide empirical evidence supporting our model's predictions utilizing survey and administrative data from Canada.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Bredemeier & Patrick Ndlovu & Sunčica Vujić & Roland Winkler, 2025. "Household decisions and the gender gap in job satisfaction," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 72(1), February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scotjp:v:72:y:2025:i:1:n:e12403
    DOI: 10.1111/sjpe.12403
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    Cited by:

    1. Nick Deschachtⓡ & Sunčica Vujićⓡ & Oscar Frison, 2025. "The Greedy Jobs Phenomenon as a Driving Force Behind the Gender Pay Gap: A Systematic Review," De Economist, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 177-204, March.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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