An Equilibrium Search Model with Co-Worker Discrimination

This paper analyzes the effect of co-worker discrimination on wage and unemployment differentials between males and females using a search model. In the presence of asymmetric co- worker discrimination, no female-dominated firm emerges in the labor market. An increase in female participation drives up the wage offer to female workers and raises female employment Moreover, an increase in the degree of discrimination by males results in gains to them in terms of higher wages and lower unemployment but results in losses to females in terms of lower wages and higher unemployment. The benefit to males provides an explanation for the persistence of discrimination.