Download This PaperGender Wage Differentials in a Competitive Labor Market: The Household Interaction Effect
CentER Discussion Paper No. 2000-85
36 Pages Posted: 13 Dec 2000
There are 2 versions of this paper
Gender Wage Differentials in a Competitive Labor Market: The Household Interaction Effect
Gender Wage Differentials in a Competitive Labor Market: The Household Interaction Effect
Date Written: September 2000
Abstract
We present a theoretical explanation of the gender wage gap which turns on the interaction between men and women in households. In equilibria where men are over-represented in full-time work, we show that firms rationally choose to hire women only at strictly lower wages than men. The model developed predicts a gap even controlling for education, occupation and industry of workers and does so in a competitive labor market where there exist no inherent gender differences. We test our theory using CPS data over the period 1979-98 and find it is strongly supported by the data.
JEL Classification: J71, J16, J41
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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