Is There a Penalty for Caring? Careers of Men in Caring Occupations versus Male-dominated Occupations

• In Event: 553 - Regular Session. Care, Emotions, and the Self at Work

Abstract

Research has shown that growing care work occupations are devalued in comparison to occupations that do not have a high percentage of female workers, with lower levels of compensation in occupations with similar skill levels. Blue-collar occupations have similar skill levels but are male dominated and subject to increased job losses and eroding wages in today’s economy. In this study, we examine how men in frontline health care occupations fare in comparison to men in blue collar occupations, asking whether men experience a “wage penalty” for performing care work. Using longitudinal data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation for the years 1996-2010, we examine the relationship between different job and occupational mobility patterns and wage outcomes for male frontline health care workers, focusing on which occupations offer higher wages and greater job stability. Our findings show that men in frontline health care occupations do have lower wages on average as compared to blue collar workers, with the exception of frontline allied health workers. However, male frontline health care workers are less likely to switch employers or occupations or to transition to unemployment, indicating that frontline health care jobs offer a higher degree of job stability for workers. Nonetheless, the findings suggest that men do experience a wage penalty for working in care work occupations.

Authors

• Janette S. Dill, University of Akron

• Kim Price-Glynn, University of Connecticut

• Carter Rakovski, California State University-Fullerton