How are Gender Norms Perceived?

78 Pages Posted: 22 Mar 2023

See all articles by Leonardo Bursztyn

Leonardo Bursztyn

University of Chicago - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Alexander W. Cappelen

NHH Norwegian School of Economics - Department of Economics; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Bertil Tungodden

NHH Norwegian School of Economics - Department of Economics

Alessandra Voena

Stanford University

David Yanagizawa-Drott

University of Zurich

Date Written: March 22, 2023

Abstract

Actual and perceived gender norms are key to understanding gender inequality. Using newly-collected, nationally representative datasets from 60 countries covering 80% of the world population, this paper studies gender norms on two policy issues: basic rights, allowing women to work outside of the home, and affirmative action, prioritizing women when hiring for leadership positions. Misperceptions of gender norms are pervasive across the world, and the nature of the misperception is context-dependent. In less gender-equal countries, people underestimate support for both policies, particularly support among men; in more gender-equal countries, people overestimate support for affirmative action, particularly support among women, and underestimate support for basic rights. Gender stereotyping and overweighting of minority views are potential drivers of the global patterns of misperceptions. Our findings indicate how misperceptions of gender norms may obstruct progress toward gender equality and contribute to sustaining gender policies that are not necessarily favored by women.

Keywords: Social norms, misperceptions, gender

JEL Classification: J00, J16

Suggested Citation

Bursztyn, Leonardo and Cappelen, Alexander W. and Tungodden, Bertil and Voena, Alessandra and Yanagizawa-Drott, David, How are Gender Norms Perceived? (March 22, 2023). NHH Dept. of Economics Discussion Paper No. 05/2023, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4396509 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4396509

Leonardo Bursztyn

University of Chicago - Department of Economics ( email )

1126 E. 59th St
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Alexander W. Cappelen

NHH Norwegian School of Economics - Department of Economics ( email )

Helleveien 30
N-5035 Bergen
Norway

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

Bertil Tungodden (Contact Author)

NHH Norwegian School of Economics - Department of Economics ( email )

Helleveien 30
N-5035 Bergen
Norway

Alessandra Voena

Stanford University ( email )

Stanford, CA 94305
United States

David Yanagizawa-Drott

University of Zurich ( email )

Schönberggasse 1
Zürich, MA ZH 8001
Switzerland

HOME PAGE: http://Econ.uzh.ch

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