Michael Greene

Gender discrimination in the public and private sectors: A sample selectivity approach

Abstract A model correcting for selectivity bias from labor force participation and sectoral choice is estimated for both whites and African-Americans in the public and private sectors. White males earn significantly more than white females in both sectors, although the gender gap is smaller in the public sector. For African-Americans, the gender wage gap is positive in the private sector but insignificant in the public sector. Sample selectivity is significant and alters the magnitude of the measured wage gaps. Results indicate that a decline in public sector employment may result in an increase in gender earnings inequality.

Gender earnings inequality in the service and manufacturing industries in the U.S

This paper compares earnings inequality between women and men in a growing sector of the U.S. economy - the service sector, and a shrinking sector - manufacturing. We examine the hypothesis that deindustrialization will reduce inequality, and find that the absolute magnitude of the gender earnings gap is, in fact, smaller in the service sector. Decomposition analysis is used to partition the gender earnings gap into three parts: (1) earnings differences due to differences in mean characteristics - such as education and experience; (2) earnings differences due to preferential treatment of men; and (3) earnings differences due to disadvantageous treatment of women. The latter two constitute estimates of gender discrimination. The results of this study suggest that, ceteris paribus, deirndustrialization will likely reduce the gender gap in hourly earnings. However, this will come at the cost of lower earnings for both males and females, with the drop in earnings being particularly large for males. While deindustrialization is predicted to reduce the absolute magnitude of male-female earnings inequality, evidence suggests that gender discrimination will persist - discrimination explains about 60 percent of the gender wage gap in both the service and the manufacturing sectors.

Education and the earnings disparities between black and white men: A comparison of professionals in the public and private sectors

Abstract Using regression adjusted earnings relatives, this research provides a quantitative examination of the impact of college education on the earnings of black and white professionals employed in the public and private sectors. Three principle findings emerge: first, there is strong evidence that college education is an equally valuable investment for both white and black menregardless of sector of employment; second, there exist important differences between the intrasector earnings of college-educated black and white professionals; and third, comparisons of intergroup earnings reveal that earnings discrimination continues to be a distinguishing feature of private sector labor markets. The evidence is broadly consistentg with the hypothesis that the public sector provides comparable earnings to equally skilled black and white professionals, implying that the public sector may be characterized by an absence of the earnings discrmination faced by college-educated black professionals in the private sector.

Alternative methods for acute oral toxicity testing: practical guidance for implementation.

Recent attention has focused on the development of acute oral toxicity testing paradigms that are more humane and use fewer animals than traditional LD 5 0 testing. The authors describe three OECD-approved alternative tests, focusing on the Up-and-Down Procedure that they developed.

Does welfare cause increases in female-headed households?

Public discourse in the United States has become increasingly dominated by debates over the impact of welfare expenditures on specific demographic groups. Of particular concern is the potential impact of welfare expenditures on the formation of female-headed households. Applying Granger causality to time series data on expenditures on Aid To Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the proportion of families headed by females, the authors examine whether increases in AFDC expenditures causes a rise in the number of female-headed households. Evidence provided is inconsistent with the hypothesis that rising welfare expenditures generates an increase in the number of female-headed households. More generally, the results suggest that public policies which attempt to reduce the numbers of female-headed households via a reduction in AFDC benefits or a tightening of eligibility requirements are unlikely to be successful.

Residential location and the earnings of African American women

In comparing the earnings of African American women to three reference groups—white women, African American men, and white men—three principal findings emerge. First, African American women residing in the suburbs are worse off than any other suburban group. Second, central city African American women are worse off than any other group of central city residents. Third, while central city residence imposes a statistically significant earnings penalty on men of both races, no such penalty is found for African American or white women. Therefore, African American women will enjoy no earnings advantage if they move to the suburbs. This finding underscores the importance of including women in studies of residential location and the socioeconomic status of African Americans. A narrow focus on male data to inform policy is clearly insufficient.

Political empowerment: earnings in the presence of African-American mayors

A full interactive earnings model measures the earnings premium enjoyed by African-American men in cities headed by African-American mayors. After controlling for selection into the labour force, African-American men in such cities are found to enjoy a 7.9% earnings premium, which derives mainly from a higher return to high-school education.

The effect of public sector employment on the earnings of white and African American males: A sample selectivity approach

This research note uses a sample selection model to measure the earnings premium (or penalty) to public sector employment. A model correcting for both labor force participation and sectoral choice is estimated for both white and African American males. Results indicate that African American males are no better off in the public than in the private sector. Moreover, white males employed in the public sector earn significantly less than their private sector counterparts.