The Motherhood Penalty
In lieu of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, typically celebrated in the U.S., U.K., and Australia during the month of March, as well as to shine a light on enduring issues faced by women, I’m here to talk about the Motherhood Penalty and the social norms at play that contribute to its lasting effects.
Motherhood is often described as one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences in life. However, for many women around the world, becoming a mother can also lead to significant economic and professional penalties, often referred to as the "Motherhood Penalty." This phenomenon largely refers to the systemic disadvantages that mothers face in the workplace, such as lower pay, fewer opportunities for advancement, inferior perceptions, and inequality in hiring and promotion decisions (1, 2).
The Motherhood Penalty persists due to a multitude of deeply ingrained social norms that permeate societies everywhere. These include gender norms and cognitive biases, including gender bias, affinity bias, in-group bias, and gender stereotypes, as well as cultural expectations (3, 4). Gender norms play a significant role in reinforcing this issue, as they subconsciously shape the social principles and expectations that dictate individuals’ behaviors based on their gender, compelling them to conform to societally defined gender roles. For instance, women are expected to manage household chores such as cooking, cleaning, and caretaking, while men are encouraged to focus on income generation and financial management. When a woman deviates from these norms and enters the workforce while caring for a child, society penalizes her. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), men who break these norms often do not face reparations – in many cases, they even get rewarded (5, 6, 7).
Cognitive biases operate predominantly on an unconscious level (AKA implicit bias), leading us to unknowingly make irrational judgements and decisions. One such bias, gender bias, helps explains the preferential treatment men receive compared to women in the workplace, including biased hiring and promotion practices, as many societies tend to prefer men over women (8). Affinity bias and in-group bias demonstrate that people naturally gravitate towards those within their own group – their in-group – and those who share similar characteristics and experiences. This preference stems from a desire to avoid discomfort associated with encountering diverse backgrounds and unfamiliar situations (9). Gender stereotyping, derived from gender norms and implicit bias, involves making assumptions about individuals based on their gender, attributing certain traits and characteristics to them. Lastly, considering CUBIC’s extensive work across diverse cultures, it becomes evident that cultural expectations can also play a crucial role in shaping the Motherhood Penalty (10).
These penalties are often more pronounced in the Global South, where women's participation in the formal labor force is lower, and social and cultural norms often place a greater emphasis on traditional gender roles and the importance of motherhood (11, 12). In many cases, women are expected to prioritize their roles as mothers over their professional aspirations, and those who choose to continue working after having children often face significant social and economic hurdles.
It is also important to note that the impact of the Motherhood Penalty extends beyond individual women and their families. When women are unable to fully participate in the workforce and contribute their skills and talents, the entire society suffers (13). Women's economic participation is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty (14). Research has shown that when women are able to earn and control their own income, they are more likely to invest in their children's education and health, leading to better outcomes for future generations (15, 16).
Ultimately, addressing the Motherhood Penalty is not only a matter of promoting gender equality and social and economic development, but addressing the social norms present across societies that perpetuate these issues. This is just one of the areas where behavioral science can be leveraged to create and implement interventions that account for the complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to gender inequality. CUBIC aims to support Save the Children’s mission to shift gender norms and recognizes that women's empowerment is a crucial component of sustainable development. When women are able to fulfill their potential and contribute fully to their communities, everyone benefits.
By Erica Phiansunthon, CUBIC Intern