ÇAVGA began her presentation by focusing on the concepts of the motherhood penalty and the fatherhood premium.
During the presentation, it was emphasized that the economic impacts of having children differ significantly between women and men. According to the research, after childbirth, women tend to allocate a larger portion of their time to childcare, while men tend to focus more on income-generating activities. This situation leads to negative outcomes for women in terms of labor force participation and career advancement. In the literature, this effect is referred to as the “motherhood penalty,” whereas the positive or neutral effect observed for men is called the “fatherhood premium.”
It was noted that the motherhood penalty emerges particularly after the first childbirth and can become persistent in the long term. This disadvantage is not limited to an immediate loss of income; it also manifests as slower wage growth and reduced opportunities for career advancement. In contrast, fathers often do not experience a wage loss after having children; in fact, income increases are more pronounced, especially among married and full-time employed men.
The findings reveal that parenthood is a significant mechanism that reproduces gender inequality in the labor market. In this context, it was emphasized that employers should implement flexible working models, comprehensive parental leave policies, and pay equity measures to mitigate the effects of motherhood and fatherhood roles on wages and career progression.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session where participants’ questions were addressed.
