I saw a post about this topic on the BusinessWeek Working Parents Blog last week and it made my blood BOIL, my head spin and steam blow out of my nose and ears a la Three Stooges. As if we aren’t punished enough already, here we are, the working moms, getting screwed in the workplace (figuratively, of course) again.
A study published in the American Journal of Sociology entitled Getting a Job: Is There a Motherhood Penalty reports the following:
- The pay gap between mothers and childless women is actually LARGER than the pay gap between women and men
- When the people conducting the study submitted faux resumes of equally qualified women – one of a working mom and one of a childless woman – they found that the mother was 100% LESS likely to be hired
- Working Moms were offered $11,000 less annually, on average, than their childless female counterpart
- But, men who are fathers are viewed more favorably by employers than men who are not fathers (oh, yeah, because they have a wife – working or not – who takes care of the child-related things. Bastards!)
I don’t think any of this really surprises me. It’s just when it’s laid out with data behind it, it makes it ‘fact’. I don’t like the facts here. No, not one little bit.
So, what do we do? Completely secede from corporate life? Create our own professional, parallel universe with new rules? Any suggestions?
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June 23rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
ouch!! that is painful to read. This may be the reason so many mothers are starting their own business. No bosses telling us when to come in, or establishing our salaries.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Every time I interview, I started ommitting I was a mom. Honestly, every time I even mentioned parenthood, I never got the job. (and I knew they liked me and I was qualified!)
So, I began not to say anything. By law, they can't ask if you are a mom. However, they do make interviews more "casual" and ask questions like "So, is there anything else you'd like to share with me? What do you like to do for extra curricular activites?"
I make sure to avoid mentioning anything that is even remotely kid related. I got that job, and that HR person does ask certain questions as a "discovery" method. A mother is a risk of "being late" or more absent due to school drop off/dr. appts & illnesses. However, no company will ever admit, because they can be sued for discrimination. They find ways around it…so, beware of those interview questions and don't tell! (sad,I know) I know of some moms that don't even places pictures on their desks, only divulging info when necessary.
June 26th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Hey – did you just call me a Bastard?
Seriously, this discrimination really is a shame.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I think you're right… not surprising, but infuriating. When numbers turn assumptions into fact, there's no way to pretend any more.
July 15th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Thanks for this great post, even though it made me mad
I like your blog so much that I gave you a Keepsake Award. Check it out here: http://owwm.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-first-blog-award.html
July 18th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Yes, people will discriminate against you for ANYTHING that makes you "different".
I only bring up my son if it actually a job that deals with children in some fashion, outside of that they think I am a single about to be 30 year old college graduate. I have enough things different about me physically, I do not need another strike against me.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I know this is an old post but I wanted to chirp in. First, as women, we have to continually fight this battle and fight for equal pay. I work in HR in my day job and it's against the law. I know of companies that can and do find ways around the law though. They look for wedding rings, interviews looking for this will start to talk about their own children to drag you into a conversation seen at all. But I think the bigger thing is, we just have to always be aware and looking at studies like this and fight for our rights. Don't let your company get away with pay that is not equal, teach young women what to look for, educate the people around you at work. I think we have come a long way but there is still a long way to go. I see it every day, unfortunately.
July 19th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I love all of your comments! You've made my post so much more in-depth.
Shannon – We appreciate your 'insider' knowledge.
August 24th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Hi,
Interesting, I`ll quote it on my site later.
Joker
September 30th, 2009 at 6:27 am
Just searching stuff on the web.. but some of you should take notice that there’s be other information to cite the exact opposite. Stating that childless women are perceived as cold and odd in the workplace and less likely to succeed. If a woman were 40+ and childless, as an employer I would really wonder what’s wrong w/ her. In addition I would immediately image her as more aggressive w/ male like attributes (assertiveness etc..). So it all depends on the job.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Childless-Women-Are-Perceived-as-Odd-Cold-at-the-Workplace-111867.shtml
July 28th, 2010 at 2:14 am
Well said! This was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.
July 28th, 2010 at 2:14 am
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
August 27th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
One of the more impressive blogs Ive seen. Thanks so much for keeping the internet classy for a change.
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