The Motherhood Penalty in the Workplace
"Working Mothers
Working mothers make up a significant part of the labor force. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021 there was a working mother in about 71 percent of families with children under the age of 18.
Data also shows that similar rates (roughly half) of mothers and fathers report that working makes it difficult for them to be good parents. However, mothers are more likely than fathers to report that being a working parent also makes it harder to advance in their careers. The numerous difficulties faced by women with the intersecting identities of mother and employee is a phenomenon known as the motherhood penalty.
Competence, Commitment, and Professional Opportunities
Unlike the perception of mothers in the workplace, fatherhood is perceived to be a valued characteristic. Fatherhood has been shown to signal greater work commitment, stability, and deservingness. On the other hand, employers view mothers as unreliable due to the “distraction” of family responsibilities.
One study demonstrated this by having employers rate employees’ competence and commitment. This study found that mothers’ competency was rated 10 percent lower than non-mothers who were otherwise equal candidates. Mothers’ commitment to their jobs was similarly rated 12 percent lower. On the other hand, fathers were rated 5 percent more committed than their non-father counterparts. These disparate perceptions mothers and fathers receive in the workplace lead to different doors opening or closing.
Wages and Pay Gap
Compensation is one of the clearest ways to measure the motherhood penalty in contrast to the fatherhood bonus. In fact, the motherhood penalty might account for a significant portion of why the gender pay gap persists. The pay gap between non-mothers and mothers may be larger than the gap between men and women.
Research demonstrates a per-child wage penalty of 5 to 20 percent for employed mothers versus an approximate 6 percent wage increase for employed fathers. Men are not penalized for becoming a father; rather, they are offered higher salaries than their childless counterparts. Women, on the other hand, experience a reduction in compensation. These impacts are greatest when children are youngest (under age 5) and when parents are also faced with navigating high-cost childcare options.
What Can We Do?
- Advocate for paid parental leave
- The transition to new parenthood is difficult. If you are pregnant or recently had a baby and your mental health is suffering, locate a therapist with training in postpartum mental health and new parenting through Postpartum Support International.
- Take the steps to advocate for paid parental leave within your organization whether you are planning to have children during your tenure or not. While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides protections for parents to take time away from their job following childbirth, it does not provide paid time away. Because there is no paid parental leave on a national level we must look to states and companies to determine policy. Paid parental leave creates a work climate that benefits everyone. It improves the physical and mental health of both the parent and infant, including reduced incidence of postpartum depression. Research has also demonstrated countries with family leave policies can reduce the motherhood penalty."
*It really astounds me that women are still facing repercussions because they want to balance a career and having children at the same time. What's more surprising is that men are "rewarded" in a sense for having children while having a career at the same time. I know things are moving in a better direction, but it's still very difficult for women to have both a career and children without any consequences. I want to share that if you are someone that is looking to have children down the line, there is no right or wrong way to live your life. You can work full-time, part-time, or be a stay-at-home mom and all of it is totally acceptable. Please don't let anyone tell you otherwise because unless they are helping raise your kids, their opinion is irrelevant. 😊 What do you think we can do to help change the way moms are viewed and treated in the workplace?*
#WorkingMoms #Workplace #MotherhoodPenalty
For the full article, please refer to Psychology Today!
If you liked this article, you may like this one on postpartum depression.
@fruityPond7887
whenever i read these type articles my first thought is the way study was conducted i worked at various places .. and in many there was simply NO wage disparity and NO example as many in leadership were mothers .......
i think there is a big difference depending on industry or type of job and with anyone as there are many same sex parents or single dads ...... how does this factor ...........is it just a main parent thing ?
A main child caregiver may have limitations .... with a sick child or daycare issues / leaving early or just in some case preoccupation with home life vs work life ........
I have witnessed moms NOT go for the promotion not because skill or even time constraints but because ........ these type Articles that make it sound universal, so why bother......
@toughTiger6481 I definitely agree with you! I don't think the wage gap/motherhood penalties exist everywhere, but some places definitely do experience this. I think it depends on the industry, like you said. It probably also has to do with wherever the job is located. Everywhere has different culture and will vary. Thanks for bringing this up! ❤️
These type of statistics here are one of the biggest reasons why I am not prioritizing dating and marrying right now. I get angry just thinking about the fact that working mothers are having a harder time because traditionally the woman stayed at home while the man worked. My career path is important to me and I am not going to be pressured into taking a back seat from that if I do plan to get married and have children.
Of course, depending on the job industry, the ability to balance parenting and work can be more of a possibility, so that gives me some kind of hope.
@cafedaydreams I agree with you 100%. Please don't put your education and work life on hold to have children if you don't want to or are not ready! Society has ingrained us all so deeply that children should be our first priority. Funny thing is that when moms do stay home, they always find a problem with that too! Women can never win. I hope you achieve all your dreams and complete everything you aspire to do!💜💜
@fruityPond7887
Yes it's a real shame how ingrained it is. Perhaps one of these days the attitudes will change. Even some women these days can act harshly towards other women who choose not to have children, unfortunately. On the flip side, I am friends with several moms on *** and the amount of times I see some of them complaining about their children and/or lifestyle is just so bizarre to me. All of these women chose to have children, after all. But that's a soap box for another day xD.
I'm not meaning to come off as shaming. Truly do what you want to do. But as a single, child-less person, I have difficulty sympathizing.
@cafedaydreams No it makes sense! I think people tend to always find the negativity in each situation, unfortunately. I think we all need to try and find the positive things a little more often and practice gratitude 💗 Thank you for sharing your thoughts!