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Gender norms and marriage satisfaction: Evidence from China

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  • Chen, Yunsi
  • Hu, Dezhuang

Abstract

This paper examines the association between the traditional gender division norm — “men are breadwinners, and women are homemakers” — and the marriage satisfaction of each gender using Chinese couple-level data. The results reveal that married couples tend to be less satisfied with their marriage if the wife earns more than the husband. Moreover, it seems that the drop in the husband's marriage satisfaction matters more for the drop in the couple's overall marriage satisfaction. By exploring the difference between husbands and wives in their attitudes in terms of economic contribution and housework contribution, we confirm that husbands may have a specific self-image regarding the traditional gender division norm, and can also respond to the wives' gender role preference.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Yunsi & Hu, Dezhuang, 2021. "Gender norms and marriage satisfaction: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:68:y:2021:i:c:s1043951x21000456
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2021.101627
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    Cited by:

    1. Deng, Yue & Zhou, Yuqian & Hu, Dezhuang, 2023. "Grandparental childcare and female labor market behaviors: Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    2. Yunchao Cai & Qian Li, 2024. "The Role of Relative Income in Determining Marital Satisfaction for Husband and Wife in China," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 45-55, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender norms; Marriage satisfaction; Household labor division;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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