Work

The motherhood penalty in the United Kingdom: An unconditional quantile regression analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Utilizing data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, we employ panel methodologies and unconditional quantile regression (UQR) analysis to explore the prevalence and impact of the motherhood penalty within the context of the United Kingdom. Our panel findings underscore the persistence of a motherhood penalty for the average UK mother. However, our UQR findings reveal notable variations in the motherhood penalty across the wage distribution. Specifically, our UQR analysis reveals that the motherhood penalty is most pronounced in the bottom half of the wage distribution, remaining statistically significant across all quantiles up to the median. Thereafter, the magnitude of the motherhood penalty diminishes, eventually becoming a motherhood premium among the highest earners

Source: International Labour Review

DOI: 10.16995/ilr.18859

Authors: Abhijit SHARMA, Stefano GRILLINI, Richard WOODWARD

Institutions: University of Huddersfield, Technological University Dublin

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth, Gender equality, No poverty

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090