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Self-employed women and the motherhood penalty

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  • Colombe, Kenneth

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of childbirth on the careers of skilled, self-employed women. Using panel data from the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, I find that childbirth is followed by sharp declines in tournament earnings, participation, and objective performance measures that persist in the long run. I use a difference-in-differences design around first birth to test whether the scheduling and work-intensity flexibility inherent in self-employment attenuates the motherhood penalty documented for wage and salary workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Colombe, Kenneth, 2026. "Self-employed women and the motherhood penalty," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:265:y:2026:i:c:s0165176526001898
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2026.112995
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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