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Is There a Motherhood Gap in the Willingness to Compete for Pay?

Author

Listed:
  • Aurélie Dariel
  • Nikos Nikiforakis

    (Division of Social Science)

Abstract

A substantial fraction of the gender gap in earnings is due to wage disparities between women with and without children. Inspired by evidence linking labor market outcomes with attitudes toward competition, we explore the association between motherhood and the willingness to compete for pay. In two behavioral studies, we find that mothers are considerably less likely to choose a competitive payment scheme than similar women without children. Fathers are as willing to compete as non-fathers. The motherhood gap is not mediated by differences in ability, beliefs, risk attitudes, marital status, parental education, parental employment, or the time since the last pregnancy.

Suggested Citation

  • Aurélie Dariel & Nikos Nikiforakis, 2022. "Is There a Motherhood Gap in the Willingness to Compete for Pay?," Working Papers 20220079, New York University Abu Dhabi, Department of Social Science, revised Sep 2022.
    • Handle: RePEc:nad:wpaper:20220079
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    References listed on IDEAS

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