2003) ‘Occupational Segregation and the Devaluation of Women’s Work across U.S

Previous research on the devaluation of women'swork has investigated whether the net effect ofgender composition varies acrass jobs and organizational settings. We extend that research by using hierarchical linear models that combine data [rom a random sampleofU.S. work establishments with metrapolitan-area data to explore whether macro-level gender inequality also influences the tendency to devalue women's work rales. Thus, we offe " the first attempt to examine pracesses that lead to organizational gender inequaluy in locallabor market contexts. Specifically, we hypothesize thatgenderdevaluation willbestrangest in highly gender-segregated labor markets. One reason for this may be that in segregated markets, men arein astranger position to benefit[romdevaluation whilewomen are less able to resist it. The results strongly supportthis hypothesis: Higher levels of occupational segregation at the labor market level areassociated with a significantly increased tendency to devalue women's work rales. This finding is not explained by a diverse set of controls at both the establishment and locallabor market level. Ourfindings highlight an additionalway that gendersegregation intensifies labor market inequality.>+- The authors contributed equally to the preparation of this manuscript; we list Dur names alphabetically. An earlier version ofthis article was presented at the 2001 meetings ofthe American Sociological Association. Some of the data used in this analysis are derived from sensitive data files of the 1991 National Organizations Study (NOS), obtained under special contractual arrangements designed to protect the anonymity of respondents. These data are not available from the authors. People interested in obtaining NOS sensitive data files should contact Davi