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Hard Times, Hard Attitudes? The Effect of Economic Downturns on Gender Norms

Author

Listed:
  • Inés Berniell

    (CEDLAS-IIE-FCE-UNLP)

  • Leonardo Gasparini

    (CEDLAS-IIE-FCE-UNLP & CONICET)

  • Mariana Marchionni

    (CEDLAS-IIE-FCE-UNLP & CONICET)

  • Mariana Viollaz

    (CEDLAS-IIE-FCE-UNLP & IZA)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of economic fluctuations on social norms, specifically exploring the link between changes in unemployment and shifts in attitudes toward gender roles in the labor market. The results are not immediately obvious, as the literature suggests several potential mechanisms with conflicting outcomes. Using microdata from the World Values Survey for a panel of 103 countries that cover close to 90% of the world population, we estimate individual-level probability models of agreement with traditional gender roles over the period 1995 to 2021, including country and year fixed effects. We find that an increase in unemployment is associated to more conservative views about gender roles in the labor market. This result is remarkably robust across different groups and specifications. We also find that some contextual factors matter. In particular, the link between higher unemployment and more conservative views on gender roles is stronger in countries with, on average, higher gender inequality and lower female labor force participation. Overall, this study contributes to a growing body of research on the complex relationship between economic conditions, gender norms, and social change.

Suggested Citation

  • Inés Berniell & Leonardo Gasparini & Mariana Marchionni & Mariana Viollaz, 2025. "Hard Times, Hard Attitudes? The Effect of Economic Downturns on Gender Norms," CEDLAS, Working Papers 0346, CEDLAS, Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
  • Handle: RePEc:dls:wpaper:0346
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jeremy Greenwood & Ananth Seshadri & Mehmet Yorukoglu, 2005. "Engines of Liberation," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 72(1), pages 109-133.
    2. Stephanie Seguino, 2007. "PlusCa Change? evidence on global trends in gender norms and stereotypes," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 1-28.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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