What Drives Gender Differences in Commuting Behavior: Evidence from the American Time Use Survey

Gray Kimbrough

No 16-4, UNCG Economics Working Papers from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics

Abstract: This study takes advantage of a large, nationally representative dataset, the American Time Use Survey (ATUS), to examine gender differences in commute character and time. A method of calculating commuting time that accounts for stops along the journey is applied to ATUS data; analysis of gender differences in the number, type, and length of stops demonstrates the need for this commuting measure. Explanations for women’s shorter commutes are reviewed and tested alongside predicted relationships from a simple labor supply model. Controlling for marital status and the presence of children, women are more likely to be accompanied by children for their commute, and women tend to make longer stops than men. Multivariate regression results support two previously proposed explanations for the gender commuting time gap, based on gender differences in wages and types of jobs held. Contrary to the previously proposed Household Responsibility Hypothesis, this analysis provides evidence that greater household responsibility does not explain women’s shorter commutes.

Keywords: commuting; gender; household travel behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J16 J22 R40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2016-05-31, Revised 2016-06-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-hme, nep-lab and nep-tre
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ris:uncgec:2016_004

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