|
on Gender |
|
Issue of 2024‒02‒12
ten papers chosen by Jan Sauermann, Institutet för Arbetsmarknads- och Utbildningspolitisk Utvärdering |
| By: | Sébastien Fontanay; Libertad González |
| Abstract: | We investigate the impact of paternity leave policies on gender role attitudes in the next generation. We measure gender-stereotypical attitudes using an Implicit Association Test with 3, 000 online respondents in six countries. Using an RD design, we observe a significant reduction (-0.20 SD) in gender-stereotypical attitudes among men born post-paternity leave implementation. This shift influences career choices, as men whose fathers were affected by the reform are more inclined to pursue counter-stereotypical jobs, particularly in high-skilled occupations like healthcare and education. Our findings highlight how paternity leave fosters egalitarian gender norms and affects the occupational choices of the next generation. |
| Keywords: | gender norms, paternity leave, female-dominated occupations, regression discontinuity |
| JEL: | J08 J13 J16 J18 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bge:wpaper:1422&r=gen |
| By: | Marcén, Miriam; Morales, Marina |
| Abstract: | We examine changes in the gender gap in working from home (WFH) in response to the unanticipated first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from the American Time Use Survey, we find a non-negligible widening of the gender gap with WFH being more prevalent among women than among men. Respondents' job traits played a significant role in the gender gap variations, those working in the private sector being the most affected. Young individuals, those more educated, and those living with a dependent person increased the gender gap more in terms of the proportion of time devoted to WFH. We further show evidence suggesting the mitigating effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions during the first wave of the pandemic, positively affecting the WFH tendency for men but not for women. Overall, the gender gap change proves robust to identification checks. In addition, the gender gap response has had a long-lasting impact on the gender gap. |
| Keywords: | COVID-19, working from home (WFH), gender, American Time Use Survey (ATUS) |
| JEL: | D10 J16 J21 J22 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1379&r=gen |
| By: | Clemens Ohlert (Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates whether the introduction of a statutory minimum wage in Germany has led to a reduction in gender gaps in hourly wages, working hours and monthly earnings. Using the 2014 Structure of Earnings Survey and the 2015 Earnings Survey, a difference-in-differences approach was applied at the establishment level. The results show a reduction of the gender pay gap in establishments of up to 3.6 percentage points due to the introduction of the minimum wage. While the effects on hourly wages of women and men in low-wage jobs were the same on average, women are more often affected by the minimum wage and therefore benefit more often from it. The gender time gap in establishments decreased by about 2.4 percentage points on average and by about 3.9 percentage points among low wage workers. The minimum wage led to a reduction in the average gender gap in gross monthly earnings in establishments of up to 6.1 percentage points and by up to 4.6 percentage points among low-wage employees. |
| Keywords: | minimum wage, gender pay gap, gender time gap, gender earnings gap |
| JEL: | J08 J16 J22 J31 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:inq:inqwps:ecineq2024-663&r=gen |
| By: | Bailey, Martha J. (University of California, Los Angeles); Helgerman, Thomas (University of Minnesota); Stuart, Bryan Andrew (Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia) |
| Abstract: | In the 1960s, two landmark statutes—the Equal Pay and Civil Rights Acts—targeted the long-standing practice of employment discrimination against U.S. women. For the next 15 years, the gender gap in median earnings among full-time, full-year workers changed little, leading many scholars to conclude the legislation was ineffectual. This paper revisits this conclusion using two research designs, which leverage (1) cross-state variation in pre-existing state equal pay laws and (2) variation in the 1960 gender gap across occupation-industry-state-group cells to capture differences in the legislation's incidence. Both designs suggest that federal anti-discrimination legislation led to striking gains in women's relative wages, which were concentrated among below-median wage earners. These wage gains offset pre-existing labor-market forces which worked to depress women's relative pay growth, resulting in the apparent stability of the gender gap at the median and mean in the 1960s and 1970s. The data show little evidence of short-term changes in women's employment but suggest that firms reduced their hiring and promotion of women in the medium to long term. The historical record points to the key role of the Equal Pay Act in driving these changes. |
| Keywords: | gender gap, Equal Pay Act, Civil Rights Act |
| JEL: | J16 J71 N32 |
| Date: | 2023–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16700&r=gen |
| By: | Anastasia Litina (University of Macedonia); Luca J. Uberti (University of Milano-Bicocca,); Skerdilajda Zanaj (DEM, Université du Luxembourg) |
| Abstract: | In an era where gender norms vary widely and quite frequently hint to gender inequality in the labor market, previous studies have shown that higher gender diversity is associated with better economic outcomes. Using a novel dataset that provides granular data at the firm level, we test this hypothesis in the context of gold mining companies. We concentrate on a relatively overlooked aspect, namely cost efficiency, and study whether a larger number of women directors is associated with more efficient use of a company’s resources. We use a stochastic frontier methodology to estimate the cost-efficiency of gold mines for a representative sample of global mining companies. Using fixed-effects and instrumental-variable regressions, we find that an increase in female representation on the parent company’s board translates into significant efficiency gains for the mining operations controlled by the parent company. Specifically, a one standard-deviation increase in the share of female directors increases cost-efficiency by 12 percent of a standard deviation of our main efficiency index. This finding is robust to using alternative instruments for female representation, alternative stochastic-frontier methodologies, and different specifications of the main estimating equation. Interestingly, the efficiency gains induced by female directors do not necessarily improve the overall performance of the company as measured by accounting profitability. Yet, cost efficiency is associated with higher cost-sustainability and long-term viability of a firm, thereby rendering it more resilient. This hints that the underlying mechanism is consistent with evidence that suggests that women directors exert a higher monitoring and audit effort than their male counterparts. Our results provide additional evidence of a distinctly female style in corporate leadership and shed light to different aspects of a firm’s productivity. Understanding differences in styles of leadership, allows policy makers to implement more inclusive policies in the labor market and firms to endorse diversity in leadership. This ultimately can lead to more inclusive norms in the labor market. |
| Keywords: | Gender; Boards of directors; Cost efficiency; Stochastic Frontier Analysis; Mining. |
| JEL: | L2 L25 M14 Z1 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:luc:wpaper:23-18&r=gen |
| By: | Shira Buzaglo-Baris (Bank of Israel) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides an additional perspective on the well documented gender gap in Israel. Applying methods of firm and worker effects estimation resulted in an overall 29% contribution of firm premium to the gender gap. Sorting of women into lower wage-premium firms (also within the same industry) explains a significant part of the gap, while negligible part is due to within firm inequality, in particular at the bottom 50% of the wage distribution. Heterogeneity in the firm premium gap was found across industries and parental status, where non-parents workers face much lower gap, in line with findings on "motherhood penalty". Based on these estimates, I suggest that policy should focus on ensuring equal opportunities rather than regulating equal pay within a firm. |
| Date: | 2023–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:boi:wpaper:2023.17&r=gen |
| By: | Kosec, Katrina; Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung; You, Soosun; Boittin, Margaret |
| Abstract: | Do individuals’ perceptions of their relative economic status affect their attitudes regarding gender roles in patriarchal societies? What role does hearing messages designed to increase support for women’s empowerment play in moderating these effects? Leveraging an original survey experiment in Nepal, we find that a prime conferring feelings of relative deprivation causes women to revert to traditional views of gender in economic decision-making; they become less supportive of women having equal control over household income, sharing house hold chores with men, and working outside the home. Women’s empowerment messaging does not attenuate these effects. Priming men to feel relatively deprived causes declines in gender equitable economic and political views, but women’s empowerment messaging nullifies these effects. The results suggest that among populations feeling relatively deprived, regressive gender norms may take hold. However, light-touch efforts to spur support for women’s empowerment may counter some reversion to traditional views of gender. |
| Keywords: | economic aspects; gender; women's empowerment; decision making; income; households; women; men; gender equity; workforce; poverty; labour force participation; NEPAL; SOUTH ASIA; ASIA |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2211&r=gen |
| By: | Van Campenhout, Bjorn; Nabwire, Leocardia |
| Abstract: | In rural societies with strong gender norms and customs, small informal agribusinesses may often be one of the few ways in which women can independently generate revenue. However, previous research has indicated that female run business may be perceived less favorably compared to their male counterparts. In this paper, we examine potential consequences of these biased perceptions on business transactions. In particular, we test whether the gender of the seller has an impact on buyers’ negotiation strategies and eventual outcomes in bilateral price negotiations. We use a lab-in-the-field experiment in eastern Uganda, where a representative sample of smallholder maize farmers are offered the opportunity to bargain over a bag of improved maize seed variety from a male or female seller. We find that buyers confronted with a female seller are less likely to accept the initial offer price and respond with a lower counter-bid price than farmers faced with a male seller. Negotiations take an average of one round longer when the seller is a woman and the transaction price is almost 9 percent lower. For comparison, we also look at the effect of the starting price on the same bargaining outcomes and find that the gender disadvantage is roughly equal to a 20 percent higher starting price. |
| Keywords: | gender; seeds; smallholders; maize; bargaining power; gender norms; UGANDA; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2225&r=gen |
| By: | Kosec, Katrina; Kyle, Jordan; Takeshima, Hiroyuki |
| Abstract: | One argument in favor of quotas for women’s representation in political office is that female politicians can break down gender barriers more broadly, inspiring individual women to participate politically. In many African countries, where gender gaps in political participation are large, identifying effective strategies to reduce gender imbalances is critical. Recurring climate and conflict shocks are making this task more urgent, to ensure that women’s voices are included when designing responses to those shocks and as it is possible that climate and conflict shocks could widen participation gaps. Using data from 13 African countries on women’s representation in subnational political offices as well as survey data on individual political participation, we find, first, that women’s representation in local office is associated with higher political participation by individual women (but not by men) in this context. Second, using geo-referenced data on shocks, we show that violent conflict shocks in particular lower political participation for everyone, although the effects are stronger for men compared to women in the 12-month frame that we consider here. Third, we find that, when women leaders hold local political office, the negative effects of conflict shocks on political participation are mitigated for women. These analyses offer important new insights into the relationship between women’s political representation and women’s individual political activity within the context of shocks. |
| Keywords: | gender; women; women's participation; political systems; conflicts; shock; climate; fragility; AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; CENTRAL AFRICA; EAST AFRICA; NORTH AFRICA; SOUTHERN AFRICA; WEST AFRICA |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2230&r=gen |
| By: | Murat, Marina |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates whether citizenship of immigrant students in the host country influences their choice of majors, and whether these effects differ by gender. Using detailed students' data from an Italian university, combined with characteristics of the countries of origin, I examine the effects of citizenship on enrolments in educational areas categorized by their mathematical content. Results indicate a decrease in the likelihood of enrolment in math-intensive fields among students who acquire citizenship, particularly among males, leading to a reduction in gender gaps. Moreover, gender gaps are smaller and show a more pronounced decrease with citizenship as gender inequality in countries increases. Results are corroborated by matching and instrumental variables strategies. These findings shed light on the existence of trade-offs between empowerment, as manifested through citizenship, and major choices. |
| Keywords: | Citizenship, immigrants, higher education, math, gender gaps, gender inequality |
| JEL: | I23 I24 I25 J16 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1370&r=gen |