Forget the flowers. This Mother’s Day, give mom a raise. A new report by the Rutgers Center for Women and Work finds that New Jersey ranks near the bottom of all states on pay equity for mothers. On average, moms earn less than women without children and significantly less than men, especially in the state’s wealthiest counties. Known as the “motherhood penalty,” this is a key driver of the gender pay gap in New Jersey and the U.S.
“Many women experience a large, immediate, and persistent drop in earnings after the birth of their first child,” said economist Yana Rodgers, faculty director of the Rutgers Center for Women and Work. “In most families, moms still do the bulk of the childcare and housework, which limits their job options. Paying for childcare is expensive, and quality programs can be hard to find in some areas. All of this has a substantial impact on moms’ earnings.” Many new mothers exit the workforce, reduce their hours, or take a lower-paying job that gives them the flexibility to care for their children. These moves alter their career trajectory and reduce their earnings for years to come, even after their kids have moved out. To read the full story.