Young Women are Risky Business? The "Maybe Baby" Effect in Employment Decisions

Abstract

Women’s numerous employment disadvantages relative to men have been consistently demonstrated, especially in traditionally male positions and occupations. However, not all women are affected equally as mothers may face even greater employment obstacles. We build on this literature by outlining a third group of women, namely, young women who do not yet have children but are expected to soon become mothers. We propose that the likelihood of having a child in the near future increases employers’ perceptions of risk and decreases perceptions of job commitment associated with hiring young women. We test these expectations in two samples of gatekeepers in Switzerland. We find increased risk (but no differences in commitment) associated with hiring young women because they desire children (Study 1). This risk is lower for young childless men compared to childless women, mothers, and fathers, while young childless women and mothers are similarly risky (Study 2). Thus, irrespective of whether or not they have chil...