It Pays To Be Traditional

Men who endorse distinct societal roles for women and men earn more than other groups, according to a new study, suggesting that income inequality may have as much, or more, to do with gender perspectives as it has to do with gender.

As The Washington Post reports, it's the first time social scientists have produced evidence that large numbers of men might be victims of gender-related income disparities.

The differences are substantial. The study, published in the September issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that men with traditional attitudes about gender roles earned $11,930 more a year than men with egalitarian views and $14,404 more than women with traditional attitudes. The comparisons are based on men and women in similar jobs, working similar hours, with similar qualifications.

Beth A. Livingston, an organizational psychologist at the University of Florida and co-author of the study, says she was surprised by the results. "We actually thought maybe men with traditional attitudes work in more complex jobs that pay more or select higher-paying occupations... Regardless of the jobs people chose, or how long they worked at them, there was still a significant effect of gender role attitudes on income."

(Photo by Reinis Traidas)