Variations in Paid Work Hours of Married Women by Own and Spousal Race/Ethnicity

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Abstract

This study investigates how the racial gap in the paid work hours of married women differs by spousal race and ethnicity. The results indicate women of color (WOC) with White husbands work less than WOC with the same race and ethnicity husbands. The difference is mainly among mothers. The variation in paid work hours by spousal race and ethnicity differs by spousal earnings. Paid work hours of White mothers with White husbands are lower than intramarried mothers of color at higher spousal earnings. WOC with the same race and ethnicity husbands work similar hours regardless of spousal earnings. The pattern of paid work hours across spousal earnings for WOC with White husbands resembles that of White women with White husbands, especially when they have children. Results suggest the importance of considering spousal race and ethnicity in understanding the racial variations in the labor supply of married women, especially among mothers.

Authors

• Andrew Taeho Kim, University of Tennessee-Knoxville

• Sam Kendrick, University of Tennessee-Knoxville