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Female labour, status and decision power

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  • Catherine Bros
  • Véronique Gille
  • François Maniquet

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of (perceived or own) norm cost in the relationship between female labour supply and decision power, which we define as the say that women have in major household decisions. We propose a model where female labour supply and decision power are set jointly following a bargaining process. Taking into account the fact that men may lose status when having a working wife, we show that decision power and female labour supply can be negatively correlated. We test the predictions of our model using Indian panel data. We find that the relationship is negative in contexts where the norm cost of having a working wife is high.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine Bros & Véronique Gille & François Maniquet, 2023. "Female labour, status and decision power," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 90(358), pages 453-476, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:econom:v:90:y:2023:i:358:p:453-476
    DOI: 10.1111/ecca.12455
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang Yang, 2023. "Hukou Identity and Economic Behaviours: A Social Identity Perspective," Erudite Ph.D Dissertations, Erudite, number ph23-02 edited by Catherine Bros & Julie Lochard.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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