Gender Gaps and the Structure of Local Labor Markets

Barbara Petrongolo and Maddalena Ronchi ()
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Maddalena Ronchi: Northwestern University

No 13143, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: In this paper we discuss some strands of the recent literature on the evolution of gender gaps and their driving forces. We will revisit key stylized facts about gender gaps in employment and wages in a few high-income countries. We then discuss and build on one gender-neutral force behind the rise in female employment, namely the rise of the service economy, which is also closely related to the polarization of female employment and to the geographic distribution of jobs, which is expected to be especially relevant for female employment prospects. We finally turn to currently debated causes of remaining gender gaps and discuss existing evidence on labor market consequences of women's heavier caring responsibilities in the household. In particular, we highlight how women's stronger distaste for commuting time may feed into gender pay gaps by making women more willing to trade o steeper wage gains for shorter commutes.

Keywords: local labor markets; industry structure; gender gaps (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J16 J21 J31 J61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2020-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gen
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (79)

Published - published in: Labour Economics, 2020, 64, 101819

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Related works:
Journal Article: Gender gaps and the structure of local labor markets (2020)
Working Paper: Gender gaps and the structure of local labor markets (2020)
Working Paper: Gender gaps and the structure of local labour markets (2020)
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