Men's Incarceration and Women's Labor Market Outcomes

Abstract

The prevalence of men's incarceration in the United States has important unintended consequences for women. Two early studies find positive external effects of men's incarceration on women's labor market outcomes in general. However, very little is known about the labor market outcomes of women directly affected by men's incarceration. This study evaluates how women's labor market outcomes change when a male partner is currently incarcerated. It finds substantial and robust evidence that a male partner's current incarceration lowers women's weekly earnings at extensive and intensive margins, while raising women's unemployment odds at the extensive margin. These negative consequences on women's labor market outcomes warrant further policy attention. HIGHLIGHTS Women are markedly affected by the incarceration of their male partners. Less is known about how a male partner behind bars affects a woman in the labor market. Having a male partner behind bars and his time served both lower a woman's earnings. Having a male partner behind bars raises the likelihood of a woman's unemployment. These losses are statistically comparable to losses under the Great Recession.