Origins of Gender Norms: Sibling Gender Composition and Women's Choice of Occupation and Partner

65 Pages Posted: 20 Aug 2018

See all articles by Anne Brenøe

Anne Brenøe

University of Copenhagen - Department of Economics

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Abstract

I examine how one central aspect of the childhood family environment – sibling gender composition – affects women's gender conformity, measured through their choice of occupation and partner. Using Danish administrative data, I causally estimate the effect of having a second-born brother relative to a sister for first-born women. The results show that women with a brother acquire more traditional gender norms with negative consequences for their labor earnings. I provide evidence of increased gender-specialized parenting in families with mixed-sex children, suggesting a stronger transmission of traditional gender norms. Finally, I find indications of persistent effects to the next generation of girls.

Keywords: gender identity, sibling gender, occupational choice, family formation

JEL Classification: I2, J1, J3

Suggested Citation

Brenøe, Anne, Origins of Gender Norms: Sibling Gender Composition and Women's Choice of Occupation and Partner. IZA Discussion Paper No. 11692, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3234215 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3234215

Anne Brenøe (Contact Author)

University of Copenhagen - Department of Economics ( email )

Øster Farimagsgade 5
Bygning 26
1353 Copenhagen K.
Denmark

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