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Efficiency versus gender roles and stereotypes: an experiment in domestic production

Author

Listed:
  • Hélène Couprie

    (LEST - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie du Travail - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, THEMA - Théorie économique, modélisation et applications - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CY - CY Cergy Paris Université)

  • Elisabeth Cudeville

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Catherine Sofer

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Empirical studies cast doubt on the efficiency assumption made in standard economic models of household behavior. In couples, the allocation of time between activities remains highly differentiated by gender. In this paper we examine whether couples deviate from efficiency in household production, using an experimental design. We compare the allocation of gendered vs. gender-neutral domestic tasks. Our results show that women in the household overspecialize in "feminine tasks" and men in "masculine tasks" compared to what their comparative advantage would require, hence revealing the influence of gender roles and stereotypes on the couples' behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Hélène Couprie & Elisabeth Cudeville & Catherine Sofer, 2020. "Efficiency versus gender roles and stereotypes: an experiment in domestic production," Post-Print hal-02129851, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02129851
    DOI: 10.1007/s10683-019-09612-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Hugues Champeaux & Francesca Marchetta, 2021. "Couples in lockdown, "La vie en rose" ? Evidence from France," CERDI Working papers hal-03149087, HAL.
    2. Bjorvatn, Kjetil & Getahun, Tigabu Degu & Halvorsen, Sandra Kristine, 2020. "Conflict or cooperation? Experimental evidence on intra-household allocations in Ethiopia," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    3. Jiakun Zheng & Hélène Couprie & Astrid Hopfensitz, 2025. "Collective risk-taking by couples: individual vs household risk," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 98(4), pages 599-628, June.
    4. Alderman, Harold & Gilligan, Daniel O. & Hidrobo, Melissa & Leight, Jessica & Mulford, Michael & Tambet, Heleene, 2025. "Men can cook: Effectiveness of a men’s engagement intervention to change attitudes and behaviors in rural Ethiopia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    5. Alejandra Villegas, 2025. "The Weight of Expectation: Behavioral Evidence on Gender Norm Enforcement," GRAPE Working Papers 110, GRAPE Group for Research in Applied Economics.
    6. Masekesa, Faith & Munro, Alistair, 2020. "Intra-household inequality, fairness and productivity. Evidence from a real effort experiment," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    7. Anirudh Tagat & Hansika Kapoor & Savita Kulkarni, 2024. "Private lives: experimental evidence on information completeness in spousal preferences," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 10(1), pages 62-75, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior

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