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Does Migration Empower Married Women?

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  • Chen, Natalie
  • Perroni, Carlo
  • Conconi, Paola

Abstract

Differences in gender-based labour market discrimination across countries imply that migration may affect husbands and wives differently. If migrant wives experience a relative improvement in their labour market position, bargaining theory suggests that they should experience comparatively larger gains. However, if renegotiation possibilities are limited by institutional mechanisms that achieve long-term commitment, the opposite may be true, particularly if women are specialized in household activities and the labour market allows more flexibility in their labour supply choices. Evidence from the German Socio-Economic Panel indeed shows that, as long as renegotiation opportunities are limited, comparatively better wages for migrant women lead them to bear the double burden of market and household work.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Natalie & Perroni, Carlo & Conconi, Paola, 2006. "Does Migration Empower Married Women?," CEPR Discussion Papers 5559, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:5559
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International migration; Gender discrimination; Renegotiation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business

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