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on Gender |
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Issue of 2025–11–03
seven papers chosen by Jan Sauermann, Institutet för Arbetsmarknads- och Utbildningspolitisk Utvärdering |
| By: | J.Ignacio Conde-Ruiz; Miguel Díaz Salazar; Juan José Ganuza; Manu García |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the existence and drivers of gender citation gaps in the five leading journals in economics. Using a comprehensive dataset of 7, 244 articles published between 1999 and 2023, we examine whether female-authored papers are cited more frequently than male-authored ones, and whether this pattern persists after controlling for differences in research topics. We apply Structural Topic Modeling (STM) to abstracts to estimate latent research themes and complement this approach with field classifications based on JEL codes. Our results show that female-authored papers initially display a citation premium—receiving up to 16 log points more citations—but this advantage becomes statistically insignificant once we control for research field composition using either STM topics or JEL codes. These findings suggest that horizontal gender differences in thematic specialization, rather than bias in citation behavior, account for most of the observed citation gap. Our analysis highlights the importance of accounting for field heterogeneity when assessing academic recognition and contributes to ongoing discussions about fairness and diversity in economics publishing. |
| Keywords: | Machine Learning; Gender Gaps; Structural Topic Model; Gendered Language; Research Fields |
| JEL: | I20 J16 Z13 |
| Date: | 2025–05 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:upf:upfgen:1923 |
| By: | Thomas Fujiwara; Hanno Hilbig; Pia Raffler |
| Abstract: | What accounts for differences in electoral success between male and female candidates? We argue that parties systematically nominate female candidates to districts where the party is less popular, making it harder for women to get elected. Our empirical strategy uses the German mixed electoral system to create counterfactual gender vote gaps. These gaps represent the scenario where male and female candidates are nominated in districts where their respective parties have equal popularity. Using data on all candidates for the German Bundestag across eleven elections, we document that female underperformance, and its variation across parties and election years, is explained almost entirely by women running in districts where their party is less popular. In contrast, we find no evidence that voter bias or candidate characteristics play a substantial role. Our argument highlights gendered party gatekeeping that increases in district strength as an important driver of female underrepresentation. |
| JEL: | P0 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34396 |
| By: | Danzer, Natalia (Freie Universität Berlin); Kranton, Rachel; Larysz, Piotr (Freie Universität Berlin); Senik, Claudia (Paris School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | How do gender identity and norms relate to happiness? This paper takes advantage of the 2024 European Social Survey, which asks respondents to report their feelings of femininity and masculinity, and studies the relationships between these self-assessments, (non-)conformity to gender norms, and life satisfaction. The results show a robust asymmetry between men and women. For men, feeling more masculine, behaving in ways more typical of men, and life satisfaction are all positively cross-correlated. For women, while feeling more feminine and life satisfaction are similarly positively correlated, behaving in ways more typical of women is, in contrast, associated with lower life satisfaction. These patterns vary across European regions, potentially reflecting different histories. The results are robust to alternative measures of typical behavior of men and women and subjective well-being. The findings support theories of gender identity and reveal possible trade-offs implied by gender norms for women. |
| Keywords: | life satisfaction, measures of norms, masculinity, femininity, gender identity, subjective well-being |
| JEL: | I31 J16 Z10 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18209 |
| By: | Calsamiglia, Caterina (IPEG); Fawaz, Yarine (CEMFI, Madrid); Fernández-Kranz, Daniel (IE University); Lee, Junhee |
| Abstract: | Prior research has found that boys often outperform girls in high-stakes math exams, raising the question of whether these gender differences under pressure stem from nature or nurture. This relative female disadvantage can influence access to selective university programs and subsequent career paths. Using administrative and survey data linked to a lottery-based school assignment system, we show that this disadvantage is reversed in single-sex schools: girls randomly assigned to SS schools devote more effort, outperform boys in high-stakes math exams, and have a higher likelihood of enrolling in university STEM degrees (excluding biology). These positive effects come at a cost to well-being in terms of higher stress and worse mental health. These effects are not driven by differences in teacher gender or school resources due to public versus private management. Our findings are consistent with theories emphasizing the social costs of norm violation: in single-sex schools, girls are freed from peer norms that may otherwise discourage overt academic ambition, allowing them to sustain higher effort in competitive and male-dominated domains. |
| Keywords: | Korea, high-stakes exams, education, nurture, single-sex schooling, random assignment, gender, gender gap, natural experiment |
| JEL: | I21 J16 I24 D91 J24 I28 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18208 |
| By: | Uyanga Byambaa; Edward Miguel; Michael W. Walker; Samuel Zicheng Wang |
| Abstract: | Gender wage gaps persist globally, particularly in poor countries. Using Kenya Life Panel Survey data, we first document a raw gender wage gap of 79 log points (55%). We show it remains large, at 39 log points (32%), even controlling for a novel set of individual characteristics – cognitive performance, personality traits, economic preferences, and job tasks – in addition to standard covariates. These novel factors account for only 20% of the residual gap unexplained by education and occupation. Though most Kenyans report egalitarian gender views, these patterns suggest that barriers still hinder women’s labor outcomes. |
| JEL: | J16 O12 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34375 |
| By: | Bramucci, Francesca (European University Institute); Boudet, Ana Maria Munoz (World Bank); Viollaz, Mariana (CEDLAS-UNLP) |
| Abstract: | Women remain underrepresented in leadership worldwide. Across politics, business, and community organizations, they face barriers limiting access to leadership roles and influence in decision-making. This paper groups these barriers into opportunity, motivation, and capability, and reviews global evidence on interventions to address them. It assesses the effectiveness of these approaches, how descriptive representation (holding a leadership position) translates into substantive representation (influencing decisions), and unintended consequences. Quotas can increase women’s descriptive representation when well designed and enforced. Role model interventions may motivate participation, mainly in politics, though evidence is mixed elsewhere. Training, mentorship, and organizational reforms show context specific results, often supporting career progression rather than leadership attainment. Greater numerical representation does not always yield substantive influence. Outcomes depend on institutional context, gender norms, and complementary support. Advancing women’s leadership requires strategies that address multiple barriers and further research on how representation translates into real influence. |
| Keywords: | descriptive representation, gender, leadership, substantive representation, quotas |
| JEL: | J16 J24 D72 M14 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18221 |
| By: | Bahn, Dorothée; Bredemeier, Christian; Juessen, Falko |
| Abstract: | We study how the division of household chores and individual preferences contribute to gender differences in labor supply elasticities and examine the implications for optimal taxation. In a model of labor supply in dual-earner households, we show that elasticities and optimal income tax rates depend jointly on gender and the within-household allocation of chores. Using PSID data, we find that chore division substantially affects labor supply elasticities, whereas gender per se plays a smaller role. We then evaluate how well simple, feasible tax rules can approximate the optimal within-household tax structure. Gender-based taxation captures a sizable share of the potential efficiency gains, but gender-neutral rules with realistic levels of progressivity perform better. |
| Abstract: | Wir untersuchen, wie die Aufteilung von Aufgaben im Haushalt sowie individuelle Präferenzen zu Geschlechterunterschieden in Arbeitsangebotselastizitäten beitragen und welche Konsequenzen sich daraus für die optimale Gestaltung der Einkommenssteuer ergeben. In einem Modell des Arbeitsangebots von Doppel-Verdiener-Paaren zeigen wir, dass Elastizitäten und optimale Einkommensteuersätze sowohl vom Geschlecht als auch von der innerfamiliären Aufgabenverteilung abhängen. Bei der Analyse von US-Mikrodaten aus dem PSID stellen wir fest, dass die innerfamiliäre Aufgabenverteilung Arbeitsangebotselastizitäten erheblich beeinflusst, während das Geschlecht an sich eine geringere Rolle spielt. Anschließend prüfen wir, inwieweit einfache und praktisch umsetzbare Steuerregeln die optimale innerfamiliäre Steuerstruktur approximieren können. Geschlechtsspezifische Besteuerung ("gender-based taxation") realisiert einen beträchtlichen Teil der potenziellen Effizienzgewinne, doch geschlechtsneutrale Regeln mit realistischen Progressivitätsgraden, aber ohne Splitting, schneiden besser ab. |
| Keywords: | Elasticity of labor supply, taxation, household chores, gender-based taxation |
| JEL: | J42 J16 J62 J71 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:rwirep:330181 |