Economy
The Gendered Effects of Part-Time Work
Men are more likely to be penalized for working part-time than women. But the reason for this advantage may still be rooted in sexism.
We know that working women today still face a fair amount of discrimination. A 2013 survey found that 28 percent of women in the U.S. have experienced discrimination in the workplace at one point or another. Naturally, the data varies by industry and the nature of work involved.
A new study by the sociologist David Pedulla, at the University of Texas at Austin, hones in on the effect that working part-time can have on women looking to secure future employment. What Pedulla found is that potential employers may penalize men for having previously worked part-time, without ascribing any of the same penalties to women.