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The gender gap in preferences: Evidence from 45,397 Facebook interests

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  • Cuevas, Ángel
  • Cuevas, Rubén
  • Desmet, Klaus
  • Ortín, Ignacio Ortuño

Abstract

This paper uses information on the frequency of 45,397 Facebook interests to study how the difference in revealed preferences between men and women changes with a country’s degree of gender equality. For preference dimensions that are systematically biased toward the same gender across the globe, differences between men and women are larger in more gender-equal countries. In contrast, for preference dimensions with a gender bias that varies across countries, the opposite holds. The so-called gender-equality paradox is therefore limited to preferences that display the same systematic gender bias across societies.

Suggested Citation

  • Cuevas, Ángel & Cuevas, Rubén & Desmet, Klaus & Ortín, Ignacio Ortuño, 2025. "The gender gap in preferences: Evidence from 45,397 Facebook interests," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:238:y:2025:i:c:s0167268125002847
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2025.107165
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    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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