What is the ‘Motherhood Penalty’ and how do you fix it?

The motherhood penalty, or motherhood tax, describes the negative impact that having a child has on a woman’s earnings over time. With the gender pay gap continuing to decrease in Scotland and continuing to close twice as fast as the rest of the UK, it’s time to turn our attention to the motherhood penalty and how we can fix the gap.

What is the Motherhood Penalty?

The motherhood penalty refers to the economic disadvantage that women face when they have children. It includes reduced earnings, fewer job opportunities, and slower career advancement compared to both men and childless women.

How does this happen?

This penalty arises from factors like taking time off work for maternity leave, working part-time to balance childcare responsibilities, and facing bias or discrimination from employers who may view mothers as less committed to their jobs.

Research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Scotland found that mothers earn about 11% less per hour than women without children, even when they have similar qualifications and work experience.

How to fix it?

Paid Parental Leave:

Employers can implement comprehensive paid parental leave policies for both mothers and fathers to encourage shared childcare responsibilities and reduce the career impact on mothers.

Affordable Childcare:

Governments could increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare services to allow mothers to return to work without financial strain.

Flexible Work Options:

Everyone should encourage legislation that supports flexible working, such as remote work, flexible hours, and part-time options.

Raise Awareness:

Everyone can increase awareness about the motherhood penalty and its impact on women’s careers and earnings through public campaigns and education.

Conclusion

The motherhood penalty significantly impacts mothers’ earnings and career progression, worsening the gender pay gap. To address this issue, supportive workplace practices and cultural shifts towards shared parenting and gender equality are essential. By working together, we can create a fairer, more inclusive environment where mothers can thrive both professionally and personally.