| Abstract: |
In this paper, we propose a new estimation strategy that uses the variation in
success between the male and the female national soccer team within a country
to identify the causal impact of gender equality on women's soccer
performance. In particular, we analyze whether within-country variations in
labor force participation rates and life expectancies between the genders,
which serve as measures for the countryÕs gender equality, are able to explain
differences in the international success of male and female national soccer
teams. Our results reveal that differences in male and female labor force
participation rates and life expectancies are able to explain the
international soccer performance of female teams, but not that of male teams,
suggesting that gender equality is an important driver of female sport success. |