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The Effects of Sexism on American Women: The Role of Norms Versus Discrimination

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  • Kerwin Kofi Charles
  • Jonathan Guryan
  • Jessica Pan

Abstract

We examine the extent and channels through which reported sexism affects American women. Using a sample of internal migrants and an instrumental variable (IV) approach, we show that higher prevailing sexism where a woman currently resides adversely affects her labor market outcomes relative to men, increases marriage, and reduces childbearing age. We attempt to disentangle the roles of discrimination and norms by comparing the effects of male versus female sexism and various percentiles of the sexism distribution. Overall, the findings are consistent with the importance of prejudice-based discrimination for labor market gaps and social norms for women’s non-labor market outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerwin Kofi Charles & Jonathan Guryan & Jessica Pan, 2025. "The Effects of Sexism on American Women: The Role of Norms Versus Discrimination," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 60(3), pages 693-742.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:60:y:2025:i:3:p:693-742
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0920-11209R3
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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