3 ms·
No, I’m saying that (1) for most unequal splits, father working will be more profitable than mother working, because of biology (mother has to take time off), a
by tomp 4y ago
No, I’m saying that (1) for most unequal splits, father working will be more profitable than mother working, because of biology (mother has to take time off), and (2) unequal splits are better than equal splits (e.g. both working 100%, or both working 60%) because the latter have negative externalities (childcare cost, kids raised by strangers, less career progress because only working 60% etc).
Some people will still take equal splits, but not all will.
> I think gender equality is not worth a small increase in disposable income
Not gonna respond to this part because I can’t really figure out what you meant, but one comment is: “gain for society, loss for individual” usually requires a fair amount of coercion.
- mmcnl 4y agoIndeed you are right that "gain for society, loss for individual" requires coercion, so that's why equal splits should be more profitable (if it's not the case already). That's a political decision.
- tomp 4y agoIt’s the ideological difference between “equality” (of opportunity) vs “equity” (of outcome). The former increases freedom, the latter increases coercion. I see freedom valuable and coercion damaging. Freedom to choose also requires you to be able to choose the “wrong” choice. So in my view enforcing gender equality is just as bad, if not worse, as enforcing gender inequality.
- usrn 4y agoI'm not convinced working mothers are all that happier tbh, and by having them work the market equilibria shift towards requiring them to work. It's more like gain in individual freedom, loss for everyone.
- mmcnl 4y agoWhy wouldn't working mothers be happier? Are working fathers unhappier? I think people who have freedom of choice without facing pressure from society are happier. If they choose to stay at home in a level playing field, that's perfect. Everyone should make their own choice. But as long as the ratio between stay-at-home mothers and stay-at-home fathers is not 50/50, I believe mothers face more pressure from society than fathers and have less freedom of choice. I also think your statement that more individual freedom for women is a loss for everyone needs some clarification. That's a wild thing to say. I hope I interpreted this wrong?
- tomp 4y agoMost people don’t have the freedom to choose not to work.