Gender Inequality in the Labor Market: Continuing Progress?

Francine Blau

No 33266, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This article examines the trends in women’s economic outcomes in the United States focusing primarily on labor force participation, occupational attainment, and the gender wage gap. The author first highlights considerable progress on all dimensions prior to the 1990s followed by a slowing or stalling of gains thereafter, with a plateauing of female labor force participation trends and a slowing of women’s occupational and wage convergence with men. She considers the likelihood of a resumption of progress in narrowing gender gaps in these areas, concluding it is unlikely without policy intervention. She then considers some new policy initiatives addressing work-family issues and labor market discrimination that may hold potential for increasing female labor force participation and narrowing gender inequities in the labor market.

JEL-codes: J16 J18 J21 J24 J31 J48 J71 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lma
Note: LS
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Published as Francine D. Blau, 2025. "Gender Inequality in the Labor Market: Continuing Progress?," ILR Review, vol 78(2), pages 275-303.

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