Today I look at uncomfortable stated vs revealed preferences and how women (specifically) deemed to be overweight suffer a ~10% "wage penalty" compared to thinner women.
(This in spite of other studies showing that women deemed to be overweight actually get more interviews than thiner women!)
The reverse (in both cases) appears true for men. There is no weight related interview premium or income penalty.
And it reminded me that women's earning potential "market value" compared to men of the same age declines from age 35 onwards! (It also reminded me of the humiliation of mature celebrities who feel compelled to pose in bathing suits and compete for page space with teenage models to stay "relevant"...)
This all implies that we still have hidden biases based on looks all over the place. It's not nice, but unless we notice it, we won't change it.
Have you experienced "aesthetic discrimination" in the workplace?
How can we (realistically) address this ugly side of human nature?
Why is looks-based discrimination still a taboo to be hushed?
In the future, can we (or will we) ever get over petty prejudice?
Read more:
Less (weight) is more (income) : https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2022/12/20/the-economics-of-thinness
Thinner women get less interviews, but higher pay…
Just let us age in peace :
https://twitter.com/bronwynwilliams/status/1658141027897581569?s=20
Ugly revealed preferences