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The dark side of competition: Gender differences

Author

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  • Chang, Simone
  • Kan, Kamhon
  • Zhang, Xiaobo

Abstract

The literature has placed great emphasis on the advantages of competition on market efficiency while ignoring the downside of competition on health. Using a natural experiment in Taiwan, we show that excessive competition comes at a health cost. In the late 1940s, half a million soldiers retreated to Taiwan from Mainland China after a civil war. They were initially not allowed to get married until the marriage ban was essentially lifted in 1959. As a large number of soldiers flooded the marriage market, men faced much stronger mating competition than before, which in turn increased the likelihood of male depression and mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang, Simone & Kan, Kamhon & Zhang, Xiaobo, 2016. "The dark side of competition: Gender differences," IFPRI discussion papers 1585, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1585
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    5. Shang-Jin Wei & Xiaobo Zhang & Yin Liu, 2012. "Status Competition and Housing Prices," NBER Working Papers 18000, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Uri Gneezy & Kenneth L. Leonard & John A. List, 2009. "Gender Differences in Competition: Evidence From a Matrilineal and a Patriarchal Society," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 77(5), pages 1637-1664, September.
    7. Pierre-André Chiappori & Sonia Oreffice & Climent Quintana-Domeque, 2012. "Fatter Attraction: Anthropometric and Socioeconomic Matching on the Marriage Market," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 120(4), pages 659-695.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender; markets; health; men; marriage; sex ratio; mortality; governance;
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