Commuting time and the gender gap in labor market participation

Abstract In this article, we investigate the contribution of increasing travel times to persistent gender gap in labor market participation. doing so, estimate effect commuting on supply men and women USA using microdata from censuses last two decades. To address endogeneity concerns, adopt an instrumental variables approach that exploits shape cities as exogenous source variation for times. Our estimates indicate a 10-min increase time decreases probability married participating by 4.4 percentage points. contrast, estimated is small statistically insignificant. When exploring potential mechanisms behind asymmetry our results, do not find evidence differences productivity within couples contribute larger penalty women. However, negative increases with number children among those originating countries more gendered social norms. Based evidence, conclude context costs presence norms attribute role main caregivers may prevent convergence.