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Masculinity Around the World

Author

Listed:
  • De Haas, Ralph
  • Baranov, Victoria
  • Matavelli, Ieda
  • Grosjean, Pauline

Abstract

We examine the role of masculinity norms --- social norms about how men should behave --- in shaping economic, health, and political outcomes. We collected new evidence from nationally representative face-to-face and online surveys of 125,000 individuals across 70 countries. Economically, men who adhere more strictly to masculinity norms supply more labor, are more competitive, and sort into traditionally masculine occupations. In terms of health, they take greater risks and report poorer mental health. Politically, they express stronger support for anti-democratic values. These patterns have substantial implications for gender inequalities: differences between men and women in adherence to masculinity norms explain 20–57% of the gender gaps in competitiveness, willingness to work longer hours, risk aversion, and support for liberal democracy. Investigating origins, we provide evidence linking masculinity norms to individuals' early-life exposure to conflict

Suggested Citation

  • De Haas, Ralph & Baranov, Victoria & Matavelli, Ieda & Grosjean, Pauline, 2024. "Masculinity Around the World," CEPR Discussion Papers 19493, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:19493
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    File URL: https://cepr.org/publications/DP19493
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Berland, Ondine & Leroutier, Marion, 2025. "The gender gap in carbon footprints: determinants and implications," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 128512, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Aksoy, Billur & Chadd, Ian, 2025. "Competitiveness at the intersection of gender and sexual orientation," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    3. Patricia Cortés & Jisoo Hwang & Jessica Pan & Uta Schönberg, 2026. "Gender Norms and the Labor Market," NBER Working Papers 34716, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Irmert, Natalie, 2026. "Bound by Tradition: Cultural Gender Norms and Occupational Choice," Working Papers 2026:5, Lund University, Department of Economics.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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