‘Commuting Is Bad’—Particularly for Women
A growing body of research shows how longer travel times affect moms’ ability to work.
TL;DR
- The gender wage gap is significantly influenced by parenthood, with mothers experiencing employment and earnings declines after having children, unlike fathers.
- Commute time is identified as a crucial, under-discussed factor affecting maternal employment, with longer commutes leading to lower participation rates for women.
- Women often trade higher pay for shorter commutes, flexibility, or remote work options after becoming mothers.
- Studies in the US, Belgium, Norway, and Germany show that mothers significantly reduce commute times after childbirth, impacting job opportunities.
- The impact of long commutes varies by socioeconomic status; mothers without college degrees are more likely to leave the workforce, while higher-paid women may take larger pay cuts for shorter commutes.
- Longer commutes increase the need for childcare and reduce time with children, but critically, they heighten the risk of missing essential family needs due to travel delays.
- Potential solutions include employers offering flexible hours or remote work, investing in public transportation, and enabling people to live closer to their workplaces.
- Geographic distribution of jobs affects the commute penalty; in concentrated job centers like financial districts, the commute penalty is less pronounced for women.