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Gender Role Ideology and the Gender Based Differences in Earnings

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Abstract

Much of the research on gender differences in occupational earnings still focuses on human capital and the structure of the labor market. However, these variables rarely explain even half of the gender gap in earnings. Most research has examined the impact of gender role ideology as it impacts occupational choice, which indirectly can impact earnings. Using data from the National Opinion Research Center General Social Surveys, this research focuses on the relationship between attitudes about gender roles and two variables: (a) earnings, and (b) occupational positions held by women and men. Findings show that traditional gender-role ideology contributes to lower observed earnings for both males and females, independent of the influences of human capital characteristics, occupational context, and ascribed characteristics. Results support socialization as a partial explanation for the gender-based earnings differences and suggest that, to the extent that economic rewards are used to assess the value of gender role expectations, traditional gender role attitudes might continue to change and lead to relatively equal earnings among women and men.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Texas at San Antonio, USA.

    Juanita M. Firestone, Richard J. Harris & Linda C. Lambert

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  1. Juanita M. Firestone
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  2. Richard J. Harris
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  3. Linda C. Lambert
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Firestone, J.M., Harris, R.J. & Lambert, L.C. Gender Role Ideology and the Gender Based Differences in Earnings. Journal of Family and Economic Issues 20, 191–215 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022158811154

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