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Are Gender Norms Shaped by Who Earns More?

Author

Listed:
  • Hanna Brosch
  • Elisabeth Grewenig
  • Philipp Lergetporer
  • Katharina Werner
  • Helen Zeidler

Abstract

Gender norms about parental labor supply are central to explaining persistent gender inequalities in the labor market, yet their causal determinants remain poorly understood. We examine whether people’s gender attitudes are driven by mothers’ and fathers’ earnings, which may shape views about the efficient allocation of paid work and care. In a large-scale representative vignette experiment in Germany (N > 10,000), we randomly vary pre-childbirth earnings and measure whether respondents recommend that the mother (father) stay home with the child while the father (mother) works full-time. Without specifying earnings, 90% recommend that the mother stay home. This share remains high when we specify that the mother earns less (93%). When she earns more, the share drops sharply to 47%, yet nearly half of respondents still recommend that the mother stay home. This asymmetric response rejects a purely income-based explanation of gender norms. Thus, economic circumstances shape gender attitudes, but deeply rooted norms persist even when they conflict with financial incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanna Brosch & Elisabeth Grewenig & Philipp Lergetporer & Katharina Werner & Helen Zeidler, 2026. "Are Gender Norms Shaped by Who Earns More?," CESifo Working Paper Series 12674, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12674
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    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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