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Women’s Work, Social Norms, and the Marriage Market

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  • Farzana Afridi
  • Abhishek Arora
  • Diva Dhar
  • Kanika Mahajan

Abstract

We conduct an experiment to elicit preferences for partners on an online marriage market platform in India. We find that working women are 12.8% less likely to receive interest from male suitors. Additionally, women employed in “masculine” occupations are 3.3% less likely to elicit interest from suitors relative to those in “feminine” occupations. Men hailing from higher castes and northern India, where communities have more conservative gender-related preferences, are less likely to show interest in working women. Our results highlight the role of patriarchal gender attitudes in marital preferences and suggest that expectations regarding returns in the marriage market may influence women’s labor market choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Farzana Afridi & Abhishek Arora & Diva Dhar & Kanika Mahajan, 2025. "Women’s Work, Social Norms, and the Marriage Market," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 74(1), pages 141-179.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/735202
    DOI: 10.1086/735202
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