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Participation in Competitive Sports Closes Gender Gaps in Competition and in Risk Taking

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  • Marc Willinger
  • Dimitri Dubois
  • Sabrina Bravaccini

Abstract

We compare the preferences of athletes who practice individual sports to those of non-athletes, by combining incentivized tasks and survey questions. Athletes were more likely to opt for the tournament payment scheme in the competitive tasks. Female athletes and male non-athletes were equally likely to select the tournament payment. We also find that female athletes were equally as risk-tolerant as non-athlete men and equally as risk-tolerant as men overall (whether athletes or non-athletes), for incentivized tasks and stated preferences. It is concluded that participation in competitive sports favors closure of the gender gaps in competitiveness and risk tolerance.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Willinger & Dimitri Dubois & Sabrina Bravaccini, 2023. "Participation in Competitive Sports Closes Gender Gaps in Competition and in Risk Taking," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 24(1), pages 97-133, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:24:y:2023:i:1:p:97-133
    DOI: 10.1177/15270025221108189
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