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Teacher Gender Effects on Students’ Socio-Emotional Skills

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  • Morando, Greta

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Sen, Sonkurt

    (University of Bonn)

Abstract

Socio-emotional skills are recognized as key factors influencing both early and later life outcomes. However, there is limited evidence on how these skills are shaped within the classroom environment. This paper uses nationally representative survey data from England to examine the impact of teacher gender on students' socio-emotional skills. We employ a student fixed effects model. Our findings show that male teachers positively influence male students' prosocial behavior, while negatively affecting female students' peer problems. We provide support for the role model hypothesis and present novel evidence on how parents respond to teacher-student gender match by adjusting their investment strategies for daughters.

Suggested Citation

  • Morando, Greta & Sen, Sonkurt, 2025. "Teacher Gender Effects on Students’ Socio-Emotional Skills," IZA Discussion Papers 17953, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17953
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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