This paper studies gender heterogeneity in preferences. We used experimental methods to elicit the subjective discount rate and attitude toward risk in Indian villages. Results show that women made more patient choices than men and that their discount rate is related to number of children. No gender difference is found for individuals without children. Women’s discount rate declines up to four children, whereas men’s does not decline. Our findings suggest that conflictual interactions within a household are more likely when a couple has young children, and hence, spousal heterogeneity in patience is at its greatest.
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Paper provided by Charles University Prague, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Economic Studies in its series Working Papers IES with number
2009/10.