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Unexplored dimensions of discrimination in Europe: homosexuality and physical appearance

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  • Eleonora Patacchini
  • Giuseppe Ragusa
  • Yves Zenou

Abstract

We study labor-market discrimination of individuals with “specific” characteristics in Italy. We conduct a field experiment in two Italian cities: Rome and Milan, by sending “fake” CVs to real ads. We find that there is a strong penalty for homosexuals, i.e., about 30 % less chance to be called back compared to a heterosexual male and even more so if they are highly skilled. On the other hand, we find no penalty for homosexual females. We also find a beauty premium for females only but this premium is much lower when the “pretty” woman is skilled. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Eleonora Patacchini & Giuseppe Ragusa & Yves Zenou, 2015. "Unexplored dimensions of discrimination in Europe: homosexuality and physical appearance," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 28(4), pages 1045-1073, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:28:y:2015:i:4:p:1045-1073
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-014-0533-9
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Discrimination; Gays; Lesbians; Field experiment; I10; J16; J71;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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