Women Leaving Job Market Involuntarily, Says Study

For a few years now, economists have noticed an interesting trend. For the first time since World War II, workplace participation by women has been on the decline. Much speculation focused on stay at home mothers: were women leaving the work force to stay home with their children?

Not so, as it turns out. Yes, women have been staying home with their kids, but most often not as a lifestyle choice. A recent congressional study finds that it is the economy, rather than motherhood, that is forcing women out of the workforce. With women generally making less than male partners, they are more likely to end up staying home when wages do not equal or exceed the cost of childcare.

In a tough job market, mothers especially may have an uphill battle. A series of recent studies have found that women experience a wage penalty of about 5% per child, and that wage differences cannot be explained away by performance or mother-friendly work practices. In an experiment conducted by Cornell University researchers, participants were asked to evaluate job candidates with more or less identical qualifications, some of whom were mothers. Researchers found that “mothers were penalized on a host of measures, including perceived competence and recommended starting salary.”

With all of these disadvantages, it isn’t surprising that women’s participation in the workforce has declined. But what if you are looking to return to work after taking time out (whether voluntary or not) to raise your kids? In a May post, I offered some advice on how to conquer the resume gap. Look for more tips and resources for working women and moms in the coming weeks, here at the Careers.org blog.