The opt-out myth

The implications of this fall's New York Times article about how women (especially Yale ones) are opting out of careers in order to stay home with their children is being contested anew.

Heather Boushey of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, recently released a report called Are Women Opting Out? Debunking the Myth. The report argues that the poor economy, more than social/cultural factors, accounts for the decreasing participation.

The impact of having children in the home on women's labor force participation (the "child penalty") actually fell last year compared to prior years.

Thanks to reader Liz for alerting us to this story; Feministing has more and an interesting debate in the comments section. Check it out.