Cornucopia is a biweekly podcast that covers research stories unfolding across campus. Join hosts Addison Huneycutt ’18 and Ali Jenkins ’18 as they dig into the juiciest discoveries they can find. In each episode, you’ll meet a researcher, chat with Addison and Ali, and hear some corny jokes.
Check out the science section of The Cornell Daily Sun for biweekly updates about the latest episode.
Ali and Addision sat down with Prof. Beth Livingston, industrial and labor relations, to discuss her research on gender stereotyping in work and family. Her research is especially relevant to the recent discussions of the gender wage gap and differing opportunities between men and women. Livingston’s research spans many facets of the gender wage gap, as well as perspectives toward women in the workplace and couple dynamics surrounding work and family.
Regarding the wage gap, Livingston delved into wage discrepancies within the genders themselves. She noted that “sexist men make a lot more money than egalitarian men […] and these kind of domineering, competitive, ‘not nice’ men make a lot more money than nice, humble, cooperative men.” Ali and Addison discussed the effect that this has on the conversation of the gender wage gap, as research findings such as this are a “universal call to action,” encouraging men and women alike to work against wage gaps.
Livingston also revealed how wage gaps differ across racial and socioeconomic groups.
“The gender wage gap is bigger for black and Hispanic individuals, narrower for Asian individuals […] and the people who have a lot of money tend to also have the means to have flexible work and the people who don’t—who really need paid leave—are the ones who are least likely to have it,” she said.
Livingston said she sees these intersections of gender, race, culture and socioeconomic status as the most important path for future research.
Finally, Livingston included advice to individuals facing stereotyping and discrimination in the workplace, stressing how important it is to “find allies in the workplace, particularly those who are more powerful than you, who respect what you’re doing and can help sponsor you.”