女性就业的夏季下降

中文摘要

我们首次对女性劳动力市场活动的夏季下降进行了系统性说明。从5月到7月，美国女性的就业人口比下降了1.1个百分点，而男性的则上升；女性的工作时数下降了9.8%，是男性下降幅度的两倍。暑假学校停课提供了一个统一的解释。这种夏季下降与各州学校停课时间的差异相吻合，集中于有年幼学龄儿童的母亲中，并与花在儿童照料上的时间增加相重合。同一职业内和不同职业间的性别差异解释了夏季退出就业的性别差距。女性的夏季工作中断促成了薪酬上的性别差距。

Abstract

Abstract We provide the first systematic account of summer declines in women’s labor market activity. From May to July, U.S. women’s employment-to-population ratio declines 1.1 p.p., whereas men’s rises; women’s hours worked fall 9.8%, twice the decline among men. School closures for summer break provide a unifying explanation. The summer drop aligns with cross-state differences in school closure timing, is concentrated among mothers with young school-aged children, and coincides with increased time spent on child care. Gender differences both within and across jobs explain gender gaps in summer exits from employment. Women’s summer work interruptions contribute to gender gaps in pay.