Participation, Penalties and Discrimination in Labour Markets

This thesis investigates the drivers of participation, wage penalties and discrimination in labour markets. Using survey data from Australia and the United States, it demonstrates how and where labour market inequalities persist. The first study finds that child care use can boost both work hours for less-educated mothers and learning for their children. The second shows that career breaks reduce skills for everyone, but women face longer-lasting wage losses, mainly due to motherhood. The third reveals that immigrants—especially in high-skill jobs—are often undervalued by employers. The findings guide policies on child care, workplace gender equality and immigrant-skill recognition.