Lux Lucet in Tenebris: The Role of Waldensian Culture in Reducing the Gender Gap

28 Pages Posted: 8 Jan 2022

See all articles by Andrea Berlanda

Andrea Berlanda

University of Padova, Department of Economics and Management

Paolo Buonanno

University of Bergamo - Department of Economics

Marcello Puca

University of Salerno - Dept. of Economics and Statistics; CSEF - University of Naples Federico II - Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF)

Abstract

Do religiously driven cultural norms contribute to the gender gap? Focusing on Italian municipalities in the Piedmont region, we study the long-run cultural effect of medieval Waldensian Christian communities on early 19th century female literacy rates. All outcomes of the education gender gap are, on average, statistically and economically lower in municipalities that are home to Waldensian communities. This effect persists until present days, in that women living in these municipalities have, on average, higher education levels. The effect also extends to labor market participation and women’s political representation. Our results confirm the importance of cultural and social norms for women’s empowerment and the reduction of the gender gap.

Keywords: Gender gap, Religion, Women Empowerment, Waldensians

JEL Classification: J16, N3, Z1

Suggested Citation

Berlanda, Andrea and Buonanno, Paolo and Puca, Marcello, Lux Lucet in Tenebris: The Role of Waldensian Culture in Reducing the Gender Gap. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4003937 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4003937

Andrea Berlanda

University of Padova, Department of Economics and Management ( email )

Via del Santo 33
Padova, Padova 35123
Italy

Paolo Buonanno (Contact Author)

University of Bergamo - Department of Economics ( email )

Via dei Caniana 2
Bergamo, Bergamo 24127
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.unibg.it/ugov/person/2913

Marcello Puca

University of Salerno - Dept. of Economics and Statistics ( email )

Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132
Fisciano, SA 84084
Italy

CSEF - University of Naples Federico II - Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF) ( email )

Via Cintia
Complesso Monte S. Angelo
Naples, Naples 80126
Italy

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