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Longer Commutes Hinder Working Moms, Widen Wage Gap

12/17/2025

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Story summary
  • Longer commute times reduce married women's participation in the workforce, especially among mothers.
  • A 10-minute rise in commute time lowers the likelihood that married women work by 4.4 percentage points, with the effect higher for those with younger children.
  • This trend helps drive the gender wage gap, as mothers shift to lower-paying, more flexible jobs.
  • Policy responses include improving public transportation and enabling families to live closer to work.