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The Gender Gap in Household Bargaining Power: A Portfolio-Choice Approach

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  • Gu, R.
  • Peng, C.
  • Zhang, W.

Abstract

We quantify how bargaining power is distributed when spouses make financial decisions together. We build a model in which each spouse has a risk preference and must bargain with each other to make asset decisions for the household. By structurally estimating the model with longitudinal data from Australian households, we show that the average household’s asset allocation reflects the husband’s risk preference 44% more than the wife’s. This gap in bargaining power is partially explained by gender differences in income and employment status, but is also due to gender effects. We provide further evidence that links the distribution of bargaining power to views on gender norms in the cross-section.

Suggested Citation

  • Gu, R. & Peng, C. & Zhang, W., 2021. "The Gender Gap in Household Bargaining Power: A Portfolio-Choice Approach," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2130, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:2130
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiang, Zhengyang & Peng, Cameron & Yan, Hongjun, 2024. "Personality differences and investment decision-making," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 121634, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • G51 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Household Savings, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth

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