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Motherhood and Employment Among Whites, Hispanics, and Blacks: A Life Course Approach

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  • Sandra M Florian

    (University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

Research has shown that having children reduces women's employment; yet, how this effect differs for racial minorities has received less attention. Using random effects models and data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (N = 4,526), this study investigates the association between motherhood and employment among Whites, Hispanics, and Blacks over women's entire reproductive span. Results indicate that having children reduces labor force participation primarily by deterring full-time employment. This effect is stronger and lasts longer among Whites, smaller and shorter among Hispanics, and brief among Blacks. Motherhood reduces part-time employment for young mothers, but temporarily increases it for older mothers. Early childbearing partly explains Black and Hispanic women's low employment rates at young ages; interestingly, the evidence indicates that their employment prospects would benefit the most from delaying childbearing. This study highlights the relevance of intersectionality and the life course perspective for investigating inequality in the labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra M Florian, 2018. "Motherhood and Employment Among Whites, Hispanics, and Blacks: A Life Course Approach," Post-Print hal-03420684, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03420684
    DOI: 10.1111/jomf.12448
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-03420684
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sophia Rabe-Hesketh & Anders Skrondal, 2012. "Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling Using Stata, 3rd Edition," Stata Press books, StataCorp LP, edition 3, number mimus2, March.
    2. Jacob Klerman & Arleen Leibowitz, 1999. "Job continuity among new mothers," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 36(2), pages 145-155, May.
    3. Amalia Miller, 2011. "The effects of motherhood timing on career path," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 24(3), pages 1071-1100, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kelly Musick & Pilar Gonalons‐Pons & Christine R. Schwartz, 2022. "Change and Variation in U.S. Couples’ Earnings Equality Following Parenthood," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 48(2), pages 413-443, June.
    2. Eunjeong Paek, 2023. "Does Overwork Attenuate the Motherhood Earnings Penalty among Full-Time Workers?," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(1), pages 78-96, February.
    3. Zohra Ansari-Thomas, 2024. "Sandwich Caregiving and Paid Work: Differences by Caregiving Intensity and Women’s Life Stage," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 43(1), pages 1-46, February.
    4. Rennie Lee & Laxman Bablani, 2023. "Do Asian Immigrants Have Better Mental Health? An Examination of Arrival Cohort and Gender in Australia," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(3), pages 1-29, June.
    5. Danielle Sandler & Nichole Szembrot, 2019. "Maternal Labor Dynamics: Participation, Earnings, and Employer Changes," Working Papers 19-33, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.

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