Harvard professor Claudia Goldin, Nobel Economics Prize winner, discusses her groundbreaking research on women's employment and the persisting gender pay gap. Topics include factors influencing women's pay, the impact of 'greedy jobs' on gender equality, and the potential for redefining jobs post-pandemic.
Claudia Golden's groundbreaking research exposes the persistence of the gender pay gap, particularly after women have children.
Golden's concept of 'greedy jobs' sheds light on the barriers to gender equality that demand individuals prioritize work over family responsibilities.
Deep dives
Claudia Golden's groundbreaking research on women's employment and pay wins Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics
Claudia Golden, an American economic historian, has been awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for her pioneering research on women's employment and pay. She becomes the third woman to win the prize and the first to win it alone. Golden's research focuses on labor markets, studying how people work, get paid, and make educational choices that impact their careers. Her work sheds light on the gender pay gap, exploring why women continue to earn less than men and the financial penalties women face when they have children. Golden's research also highlights the concept of 'greedy jobs' that demand individuals prioritize work over family, posing a significant barrier to gender equality. Despite progress, Golden remains optimistic and sees opportunities to lessen the impact of greedy jobs and promote gender equality, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Claudia Golden's fascination with economics and journey to becoming an economist
Claudia Golden's interest in economics began during her undergraduate years at Cornell University, where she veered away from her initial passion for science and microbiology. She became captivated by questions related to economics, leading her to pursue graduate studies at the University of Chicago in economic history. Golden's research focused on labor markets, including the institution of slavery and later the economics of the household. Her work analyzes how education, technological advancements, and gender roles impact individuals' career choices and pay. Golden's interest in economic history and her dedication to understanding the complexities of the gender pay gap have driven her research and contributed to her Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics.
The impact of Claudia Golden's research on gender pay gap and the role of 'greedy jobs'
Claudia Golden's research has brought attention to the persistence of the gender pay gap and the role of 'greedy jobs' that demand individuals sacrifice family responsibilities for career advancement. She emphasizes that women's earnings compared to men's are very similar when they are young and not yet parents. However, a significant divergence occurs after having children, with women experiencing a financial penalty, while men often see increased earnings. Golden's research explores the impact of factors such as educational opportunities, career choices, and the division of labor in shaping the gender pay gap. She highlights the need for addressing the demands of 'greedy jobs' that impede working parents, particularly mothers, who are often the primary caregivers. Golden sees the potential for mitigating these challenges and promoting gender equality, especially with the changing work landscape influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harvard professor Claudia Goldin has become only the third woman to win the Nobel Economics Prize for her groundbreaking research on women’s employment and pay. Tim Harford discusses her work showing how gender differences in pay and work have changed over the last 200 years and why the gender pay gap persists to this day.
Presenter: Charlotte McDonald
Producer: Jon Bithrey
Editor: Richard Vadon
Sound Engineer: David Crackles
(Picture: Claudia Goldin at Havard University
Credit: Reuters / Reba Saldanha)
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