Aparna Mitra

Effects of physical attributes on the wages of males and females

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1993), this study analyses the effects of physical attributes, namely, height and weight, on the wages of males and females in professional and blue-collar occupations. A parallel theme of analysis is whether physical attributes have any impact on the wages of workers with high mathematics and computational skills. The results of this study show that among professionals and blue-collar workers, physical attributes significantly affect the wages of women and have no impact on the wages of men. Taller women enjoy wage premiums, while overweight women experience significant wage penalties. Another important finding is that among women with above average quantitative skills, the effects of physical attributes on wages are insignificant.

Establishment size, employment, and the gender wage gap

Abstract This study analyzes the allocation of professional males and females in large establishments, and the effects of employment in large establishments on the wages of men and women. The results of this study show that professional women are disproportionately employed in large establishments. Although professional women earn higher wages in large establishments, the gender wage gap is significant in large establishments despite using detailed controls for worker and human capital characteristics. One factor contributing to the significant gender wage gap may be the unequal access and returns to supervisory jobs for women in large establishments.

Mathematics skill and male-female wages

Abstract Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY; 1993), this paper analyzes the extent of wage differentials between men and women and the impact of mathematics and verbal skills on the wages of men and women across different levels of education and occupations. The results show that mathematics skills lead to significant wage premiums across all groups of workers. Separate analyses by gender show that women with superior mathematics skill experience wage gains that are comparable to or higher than the wage premiums enjoyed by men. Although women earn significantly lower wages than men do across all levels of education and occupational categories, the gender wage gap is not significant among professional men and women with above-average mathematics skills. One way of reducing the gender wage gap would be to encourage girls to invest more in high school mathematics courses in order to improve their quantitative skills.

Access to Supervisory Jobs and the Gender Wage Gap among Professionals

Significant gender wage gap exists in the U.S. labor market. Some of the factors attributed to the gender earnings gap include differential human capital attainment by males and females (Mincer 1962; Becker 1981), occupational segregation (Bergmann 1974), and discrimination. However, one potential factor contributing to the male-female wage differential may be the unequal access to and wage premiums for supervisory positions at the workplace. The distribution of authority positions between men and women is highly uneven. Men are much more likely to hold supervisory positions than women even after controlling for worker and job characteristics (Wolf and Fligstein 1979; Wright, Baxter, and Birkelund 1995; Rosenfeld, Van Buren, and Kalleberg 1998). Most empirical studies have focused on the allocation of men and women in supervisory and managerial positions across all occupations, in general. Few have analyzed in detail the causes and impact of the differential access to supervisory jobs among professional men and women. During the past twenty years, the gap in educational attainment between men and women has narrowed substantially, and a large number of women have entered professional careers. The entry of women in professional jobs should improve the status of women in the labor market and lower the gender wage gap only if qualified women professionals earn comparable wages as professional men and are equally represented in meaningful supervisory positions. Although about 42 percent of women are represented in management positions (U.S. Department of Labor 1993), women account for less than 5 percent of top management positions (U .S. Department of Labor 1995). Therefore, from a public policy perspective, it is important to evaluate whether professional women with skills comparable to those of men are given equal opportunities to move up the career ladder in order to gain access to meaningful supervisory jobs that entail the utilization of their human capital skills and involve critical

Trends in literacy rates and schooling among the scheduled tribe women in India

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to highlight the differences in literacy and schooling attainment among the scheduled tribe women in India. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses data from the Census of India, Department of Education in India, and National Human Development Report prepared by the Government of India. Findings – The high status of women among the tribal groups in the northeastern states has important effects on the literacy rates, enrollment ratios and dropout rates of girls in that region. High-poverty rates pose to be significant obstacles in attaining literacy and education among tribal women in India. However, large differences in literacy rates in the various states in India show that social and cultural norms, proximity to the mainstream Hindu culture, and the role of women are also important determinants in achieving literacy among tribal women. Originality/value – Literacy is considered to be an important tool for improving the status of women among the scheduled tribes. Aggregate statistics often paint a dismal picture of the low-literacy rates and schooling among the scheduled tribe women. This paper shows that such statistics fail to capture the different trends in literacy rates and value placed in schooling among the various tribal groups in India. Differences in economic, social, and cultural backgrounds among the various tribes need to be emphasized in order to understand the differential nature of investments in literacy rates and schooling among tribal women in India.

Human Capital Attainment and Female Labor Force Participation—The Kerala Puzzle

(2006). Human Capital Attainment and Female Labor Force Participation—The Kerala Puzzle. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 779-798.

Son Preference in India: Implications for Gender Development

Abstract: Using data from the census of India and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), this paper analyzes trends in child sex ratios (0-6 years of age) and the increase in son preference in India. Latest census data (2011) show that the child sex ratios (females per 1,000 males) have decreased compared to data from the last five decades. Increasing son preference and neglect of daughters is occurring in many states in India, despite the advances made in education, literacy, healthcare, and income attainment. A skewed sex ratio and shortage of girls is detrimental to the health and welfare of women, as well as to the human development of India. Policymakers need to formulate appropriate policies, coupled with strict enforcement laws, in order to contain this grave trend in son preference and the infanticide, neglect, and devaluation of women in India.

Breaking the glass ceiling: African‐American women in management positions

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1998) this article analyses the labour market status of African‐American women in management positions. The results show that among supervisors with a high school and college education, black women earn lower wages than black men even after controlling for detailed background, personal, and human capital characteristics. The lower earnings of black female supervisors can partly be attributed to the fact that they are segregated in predominantly female jobs. Additionally, in contrast to black males and white females, black females do not earn significant wage premiums associated with supervisory duties.

Gender inequality and the spread of HIV‐AIDS in India

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to analyze the low status of women as being a major contributor for the observed gender inequality in the spread of HIV/AIDS in India. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses data from National Aids Control Organization (NACO), National Family Health Survey (NFHS 3), and the Directorate of Economics and Statistics. Findings This study highlights the problems facing women in deterring the spread of HIV/AIDS in India. The status and empowerment of women are important variables in combating the disease among both men and women in India. Literacy, education, exposure to the media, labor market participation, awareness of HIV/AIDS, and economic independence are important considerations in improving the status of women in India. Policymakers need to focus on gender inequality in order to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in India. Originality/value While absolute figures indicate men are more likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS, the rate of decline is higher for men compared to women in India. We explore several plausible explanations for such observed inequality in the spread of HIV/AIDS across gender. In particular, a potentially important factor - the low status of women in society is attributable as an impediment to the spread of the disease. A case study of the relationship between gender empowerment and the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state with the highest concentration, Manipur, provides more insight to the difficulties faced by women in combating HIV/AIDS in India.

Demographics and living arrangements of the minority elderly in the United States

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this study assesses the demographics and living arrangements of the minority elderly population of the United States. Rapid growth in both the number and the proportion of all elderly minority populations are expected. By 2050, one-third of the elderly population will be other than a non-Hispanic White. While existing literature primarily focuses on the demographics and living arrangements of the White elderly population, this study attempts to show the diversity and differences in economic and cultural patterns among the minority elderly population and the implications of such diversity on the living arrangements of the elderly. The data show variations in elderly living arrangements in minority population groups by gender, and across and within the groups themselves. Such differences in living arrangements have important policy implications on both macro and micro level.