The Long-Run Effects of Peer Gender On Occupational Sorting and the Wage Gap

Getik, Demid; Meier, Armando N.

Abstract

We study the impact of the early gender environment on inequality in the labor market. To this end, we link primary school data to occupations and earnings. We find that women exposed to more girls at critical ages earn more later on: A 10% increase in the share of girls leads to a reduction in the gender wage gap of 2.7%. We explore mechanisms and find a strong selection of women into less gender-stereotypical educational tracks and occupations, leading to higher earnings. The gender environment at an early age, therefore, leads to persistent changes in career trajectories and earnings.

Citation

Getik, D., & Meier, A. N. (in press). The Long-Run Effects of Peer Gender On Occupational Sorting and the Wage Gap. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20230251

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 11, 2024
• Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
• Print ISSN: 1945-7731
• Electronic ISSN: 1945-774X
• Publisher: American Economic Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20230251
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2954533
• Publisher URL: https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/pol.20230251&from=f