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Is There a Penalty for Becoming a Woman? Is There a Premium for Becoming a Man? Evidence from a Sample of Transsexual Workers

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  • Geijtenbeek, Lydia

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Plug, Erik

    (University of Amsterdam)

Abstract

We study the earnings of transsexuals using Dutch administrative labor force data. First, we compare transsexuals to other women and men, and find that transsexuals earn more than women and less than men. Second, we compare transsexuals before and after transition using worker fixed effects models, and find a fall in earnings for men who become women and a smaller rise (if any) in earnings for women who become men. These earnings patterns, which hold for annual as well as hourly earnings, are consistent with a labor market model in which workers are discriminated for being female and transsexual.

Suggested Citation

  • Geijtenbeek, Lydia & Plug, Erik, 2015. "Is There a Penalty for Becoming a Woman? Is There a Premium for Becoming a Man? Evidence from a Sample of Transsexual Workers," IZA Discussion Papers 9077, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9077
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Klavs Ciprikis & Damien Cassells & Jenny Berrill, 2020. "Transgender labour market outcomes: Evidence from the United States," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(6), pages 1378-1401, November.
    2. Nick Drydakis, 2024. "Trans people, well-being, and labor market outcomes," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 386-386, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labor market outcomes; gender; transsexuals; discrimination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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