Origins of Gender Norms: Sibling Gender Composition and Women's Choice of Occupation and Partner
65 Pages Posted: 20 Aug 2018
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Origins of Gender Norms: Sibling Gender Composition and Women's Choice of Occupation and Partner
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: Suggested Citation