Gender Bias or Motherhood Disadvantage? Judgments of Blue Collar Mothers and Fathers in the Workplace

The effects of gender, marital, and parental status on judgments of applicants for a blue-collar job were examined. One hundred eighteen undergraduates (72 males, 46 females) at University of Kansas, USA first rated a standard "ideal worker" applicant (single male with no child), followed by a target applicant (who varied on gender, martial and parental status) for a factory worker position. Overall findings demonstrated straightforward gender bias: Female applicants were perceived as warmer, less self-confident, less committed, and most importantly, were less likely than men to be hired. Results suggest the possibility that blue-collar jobs trigger gender bias rather than the more nuanced bias against caregivers or a motherhood penalty.