The disadvantage of a sex-segregated labor market: Sex segregation and the availability of work-family benefits

This article explores how the sex composition of occupations affects the availability of work-family benefits. Literature suggests that male-dominated occupations may be unlikely to make work-family benefits available. Consistent with the literature, this article found that male-dominated occupations are not likely to offer parental leave or flexible schedules, especially if they are low-prestige occupations. Surprisingly, however, women in male-dominated occupations were especially likely to have parental leave available. Further, occupations with balanced sex compositions offered men better access to parental leave than those in male-dominated occupations and offered both men and women better access to flexible work schedules compared to sex-segregated occupations. The study suggests that efforts to balance occupational sex compositions may result in better availability of work-family benefits for both men and women. It argues that the unequal distribution of benefits discovered within male-dominated occupations creates barriers for women trying to enter these occupations, reinforcing sex segregation in the labor market.