The article by Shelley J. Correll, Stephen Benard, and In Paik from Cornell University explores the "motherhood penalty" in the workplace, where mothers face significant wage disadvantages compared to their non-parent counterparts. The authors use a laboratory experiment and an audit study to evaluate whether status-based discrimination plays a crucial role in this phenomenon. The laboratory experiment found that mothers were perceived as less competent and less committed to their jobs, leading to lower recommended starting salaries and fewer promotional opportunities. In contrast, fathers did not face these disadvantages and sometimes benefited from being parents. The audit study confirmed that actual employers discriminate against mothers but not against fathers. The authors argue that the tension between cultural norms of motherhood and the ideal worker role leads to biased evaluations and hiring decisions, with mothers being judged by a stricter standard. The study provides evidence that the motherhood penalty is real and has significant implications for workplace fairness and equality.The article by Shelley J. Correll, Stephen Benard, and In Paik from Cornell University explores the "motherhood penalty" in the workplace, where mothers face significant wage disadvantages compared to their non-parent counterparts. The authors use a laboratory experiment and an audit study to evaluate whether status-based discrimination plays a crucial role in this phenomenon. The laboratory experiment found that mothers were perceived as less competent and less committed to their jobs, leading to lower recommended starting salaries and fewer promotional opportunities. In contrast, fathers did not face these disadvantages and sometimes benefited from being parents. The audit study confirmed that actual employers discriminate against mothers but not against fathers. The authors argue that the tension between cultural norms of motherhood and the ideal worker role leads to biased evaluations and hiring decisions, with mothers being judged by a stricter standard. The study provides evidence that the motherhood penalty is real and has significant implications for workplace fairness and equality.