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Changing male perceptions of gender equality: Evidence from a randomised controlled trial study

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  • Nguyen, Cuong Viet
  • Tarp, Finn

Abstract

In this study, we use a randomized control trial to examine whether asking Vietnamese men to reflect on gender equality can reduce their gender bias. We randomly selected two groups of married men in four rural provinces and asked the first group to make comments on gender-related laws and the second group to write stories about gender equality. We find that commenting on gender-related laws does not reduce men’s bias against women, while writing stories has a strong effect on reducing prejudice against women. Writing stories increases the index of gender attitudes of men in the second group by 0.29 standard deviations. The assignment also has a small effect on their contribution to housework. Changing men’s behaviour in practice requires stronger and more sustained interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nguyen, Cuong Viet & Tarp, Finn, 2022. "Changing male perceptions of gender equality: Evidence from a randomised controlled trial study," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:158:y:2022:i:c:s0305750x22002091
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.106019
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender inequality; Male perception; Experimental design; Women empowerment; Cognitive dissonance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K38 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Human Rights Law; Gender Law; Animal Rights Law
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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