Although it has been repeatedly argued – and proved – that women in their 30s choose family over career, which, in turn, justified the still standing pay gaps between genders, it seems that they are equally at a disadvantage if they choose not having a baby at all. This is the conclusion of researcher Dr. Caroline Gatrell who spent six years documenting women at the workplace, as the British publication the Daily Mail informs.

In theory, most women focus on their career until they reach 30, which is when they start thinking about motherhood and staying at home more to see after the family. Because of this, they put their professional life aside, either by taking part-time jobs or applying for positions for which they are overqualified, but which are more flexible in terms of working hours. Ironically enough, Gatrell argues, those women who choose not to have a baby have it just as rough, since their option seems to make others see them as odd and cold, thus they’re often pushed aside.

“Women who explicitly choose career over kids are often vilified at work and face enormously unjust treatment. [They are perceived as] cold, odd and somehow emotionally deficient in an almost dangerous way that leads to them being excluded from promotions that would place them in charge of others.” Gatrell explains. Because of this, they’re often overlooked when it comes to promotions – whereas mothers are excluded on account of their busy schedule and questions over their ability to joggle both a professional life and family issues.

“If you are a working mother, it doesn’t mean everything is straightforward and simple – far from it.” Gatrell explains. “Women with children are blamed for combining motherhood with paid work – and women with no children are sidelined and discounted because they are not mothers.” the researcher adds, insisting that most positions that also imply more responsibilities (like in the judiciary and business segment) continue to be occupied by men.

Nevertheless, not everyone agrees with Gatrell’s conclusions. Dr. Catherine Hakim of the London School of Economics, for instance, says that, in Europe, most high-grade positions are occupied by women who are either “child-free or childless,” according to another recent survey. “It is a myth that women experience pressure on them regarding their choice not to have children.” Hakim says, as quoted by the same publication.