The Motherhood Penalty in Latin America: An Exploratory Study for Argentina & Peru

• In Event: 490 - Regular Session. Development and Gender 2: Women and Work

Abstract

This paper provides preliminary results for a project exploring motherhood wage penalties in Latin American countries. Using harmonized household microdata from the Permanent Household Survey (Argentina, 2004-2013) and the National Household Survey (Peru, 2007-2013), we investigate motherhood wage penalties in both Latin American countries, with a focus on urban areas. After controlling for differential selection of women into employment, we find evidence of family pay gap among Argentinean women. In contrast, no substantial connection between motherhood and earnings was found for the Peruvian case. We further explore potential connections between a motherhood penalty and employment in the informal sector, and find a significant link in the Argentinean case. Findings for the case of Peru are somewhat counterintuitive. Potential explanations for the divergence on findings between the two countries are discussed.

Authors

• Aida Villanueva, University of Texas-Austin

• Ken-Hou Lin, University of Texas-Austin