Exploring Occupational Gender Segregation among Adolescents in Cebu, Philippines

Nanette Lee, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Linda Adair, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Delia Carba, University of San Carlos

The tendency of women and men to work in different occupations has been estimated to significantly contribute to the persisting gender wage gap. Literature has suggested that gender effect on occupation is greater at younger ages, however information on the extent of occupational gender segregation in the Philippines, particularly among the youth which account for about one fifth of the country’s employed population, has been lacking. The authors will use data gathered by the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey on a community-based sample of individuals born between 1983-84 in metropolitan Cebu to explore the presence and extent of occupational gender segregation among adolescents. We will identify female and male dominated industries and occupations, report gender differentials in work availability and conditions, estimate extent of segregation using the Karmel and MacLachlan Index, and examine demand and supply side factors that are associated with occupational choice.