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Disasters and Tightness of Social Norms: The Case of Female Genital Cutting

Author

Listed:
  • Battaglia, Marianna

    (Universidad de Alicante)

  • Egyir, John

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Garcia-Hombrados, Jorge

    (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)

Abstract

We examine the empirical relationship between exposure to disasters and tightness of social norms, focusing on the practice of female genital cutting (FGC) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Social norms tightness refers to the extent to which cultural groups enforce adherence to norms and punish deviations. It is a key factor in shaping how societies function and individuals behave, influencing everything from social order and conflict to collective effort and institutional dynamics, and often emerges and evolves as an adaptive response to adverse events. Drawing on occurrences of epidemics and natural disasters, we find that individuals surveyed in the aftermath of a disaster in their region adhere 4 to 6 percent of a standard deviation more closely to the opinions about FGC in their groups compared to those interviewed just before the disaster occurred. This effect is particularly pronounced among women and rural populations. By examining variations in early life exposure to disasters across birth cohorts within countries, we find that this effect persists over time and is strongest when the disaster occurs during the transition from childhood to early adolescence.

Suggested Citation

  • Battaglia, Marianna & Egyir, John & Garcia-Hombrados, Jorge, 2025. "Disasters and Tightness of Social Norms: The Case of Female Genital Cutting," IZA Discussion Papers 18144, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18144
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • D7 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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