GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE EFFECT OF FAMILY STATUS ON UNDEREMPLOYMENT

Abstract

Family status is often regarded as an important factor determining female labor force participation as well as outcomes of that participation such as wages and occupational standing. Indeed, employment status can be expected to have implications for the work patterns of both men and women, through timing or scheduling conflicts, and other constraints related to the roles of parent and spouse. In this article the relationship between underemployment and family status is examined in a multivariate framework. Underemployment is measured here as a combination of unemployment, involuntary part‐time work, overeducation, and low wages, using data from the 1972 and 1982 March Current Population Survey. The findings suggest that family status is important for both men and women, although the most salient role for men is that of spouse, while for women the parental role has the strongest effect. Both men and women experience negative work outcomes related to single parenthood.

Citation

Mutchler, J.E. (1987), "GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE EFFECT OF FAMILY STATUS ON UNDEREMPLOYMENT", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 5-18. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb013040