In many high-paying professions in the U.S., establishing and maintaining a career demands working long, unpredictable hours. Something that is nearly impossible for both people in a couple to do while also raising children. This is why the gender earnings gap, for female college graduates, tends to emerge 10 years post-graduation: Mothers often go part-time, take lower-paid but more flexible positions, or make other concessions for the sake of the family.
Economic historian Claudia Goldin shares insights from her research on the gender earnings gap and gives examples of changes within certain industries that resulted in greater equity between men and women. Then Emily and the Amys reflect on their own decisions around career and family and imagine what it would be like to have a colleague who could fill in for them whenever they needed time off.
Guest expert:
Claudia Goldin is an economic historian, labor economist, and professor at Harvard University. Her latest book is Career and Family: Women’s Century-Long Journey Toward Equity.
Resources:
- “The Problem with ‘Greedy Work,’” by Gretchen Gavett
- “Mind the (Wage) Gap,” by Women at Work
- “The Average Mid-Forties Male College Graduate Earns 55% More Than His Female Counterparts,” by Erling Barth et al.
- “What’s Really Holding Women Back?” by Robin J. Ely and Irene Padavic
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A complete transcript of this episode will be available by November 15.