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(E)Quality of Life: A Cross-National Analysis of the Effect of Gender Equality on Life Satisfaction

Author

Listed:
  • Andre P. Audette

    (Monmouth College)

  • Sean Lam

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Haley O’Connor

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Benjamin Radcliff

    (University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

Several international organizations have recently prioritized promoting equal rights for men and women. Reflecting these priorities, many view gender equality as a means to promote societal well-being; yet still others suggest that it has deleterious effects on the enacting state. To test these pro-equality arguments, we examine the effect of four major indicators of gender (in)equality on life satisfaction: the Gender Empowerment Measure, Gender Development Index, Gender Inequality Index, and the Gender Gap Index (or Global Gender Gap). Utilizing survey data from the World Values Survey and Eurobarometer, we find strong and consistent evidence that promoting gender equality leads to greater subjective well-being. Furthermore, we demonstrate that policies promoting gender equality tend to improve the quality of life for everyone, not just direct beneficiaries of the policies (women). Indeed, men also see strong and significant gains in life satisfaction when the sexes are more equal. As a result, we suggest that scholars of subjective well-being expand research into determinants of quality of life to include equality and other social factors. We also suggest that the findings presented here have tangible implications for governments and policy workers who are tasked with promoting equality and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Andre P. Audette & Sean Lam & Haley O’Connor & Benjamin Radcliff, 2019. "(E)Quality of Life: A Cross-National Analysis of the Effect of Gender Equality on Life Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(7), pages 2173-2188, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:7:d:10.1007_s10902-018-0042-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-0042-8
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    2. Greyling, Talita & Fisher, Bianca, 2020. "Women’s optimism, the gender happiness equaliser: a case of South Africa," GLO Discussion Paper Series 472, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Yomna M. Sameer & Suzanna Elmassah & Charilaos Mertzanis & Lujain El-Maghraby, 2021. "Are Happier Nations More Responsible? Examining the Link Between Happiness and Sustainability," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 158(1), pages 267-295, November.
    4. Evgenia Anastasiou & Marie-Noelle Duquenne, 2021. "First-Wave COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: The Role of Demographic, Social, and Geographical Factors in Life Satisfaction during Lockdown," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Federico Carril-Caccia & Ana Cuadros & Jordi Paniagua, 2024. "Mind the gaps: Gender complementarities in migration and FDI," Working Papers 2402, Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Valencia.
    6. Berggren, Niclas & Bjørnskov, Christian, 2023. "Does Capitalism Disfavor Women? Evidence from Life Satisfaction," Working Paper Series 1471, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.

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