Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor of the exchequer, used the phrase “parenthood pay gap” in her article for the Guardian to mark International Women’s Day (It took decades to achieve progress for women – why has it stalled?, 6 March). The phrase “parenthood pay gap” was also used on IWD by the shadow women and equalities secretary, Anneliese Dodds.
This phrase is an example of the way in which de-sexing language can lead to an inaccurate picture. There is no “parenthood pay gap”. Social scientists have shown that motherhood plays a substantial role in the pay deficit that women suffer compared with men.
Fatherhood, by contrast, has historically been associated with a wage premium.
Reeves states that “the Labour party has always stood up for women”. But Labour politicians need to take note. Without the words and data to describe the distinct issues that women face, we cannot begin to tackle them.
Prof Alice Sullivan
UCL Social Research Institute
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