South Middlesex Times

New Jersey has been identified as one of the states with the lowest pay equity for mothers, according to a report by the Rutgers Center for Women and Work. The study reveals that mothers in New Jersey earn less than women without children and significantly less than men, particularly in the state's wealthiest counties. This disparity is known as the "motherhood penalty," a significant contributor to the gender pay gap both in New Jersey and across the U.S.

"Many women experience a large, immediate, and persistent drop in earnings after the birth of their first child," stated Yana Rodgers, faculty director of the Rutgers Center for Women and Work. She further explained that many mothers bear most of the childcare and housework responsibilities, limiting their job options. High costs of childcare and limited availability of quality programs also negatively impact mothers' earnings.

The study shows that many new mothers leave their jobs, reduce working hours or accept lower-paying positions to care for their children. These changes often lead to long-term reductions in their earnings. Employers often anticipate that mothers will frequently miss work due to childcare duties, leading them to offer lower wages and fewer opportunities. Conversely, some employers offer fathers higher pay – known as the "fatherhood premium" – due to perceived competence and dedication.

Rutgers researchers Yana Rodgers, Becky Logue-Conroy, and Debra Lancaster analyzed data from 2018-22 American Community Survey to calculate New Jersey's motherhood penalty. They found that New Jersey ranks 43rd on pay equity for mothers among all states. Mothers in New Jersey earned an average annual income of $53,376 from 2018-22 compared to $55,314 for women without children, $78,692 for men without children and $100,829 for fathers.

The researchers noted that each year, mothers in New Jersey earned an average of $25,316 less than men without children and $47,453 less than fathers. The motherhood penalty was found to be more severe in wealthier counties, with the smallest pay gaps in areas with lower incomes.

New Jersey has implemented several policies aimed at reducing the motherhood penalty, including New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (NJFLI), the Equal Pay Act, and a $15 minimum wage. However, the report suggests that policymakers and employers could do more to support mothers. Recommendations include providing job protection for all workers who want to use paid family leave, establishing a tax credit incentivizing employers to provide childcare directly to their workers or contract with existing childcare providers, and encouraging fathers to use NJFLI for paternity leave.