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Social Norms and Gendered Occupational Choices of Men and Women: Time to Turn the Tide?

Author

Listed:
  • Palffy, Patricia

    (University of Zurich)

  • Lehnert, Patrick

    (University of Zurich)

  • Backes-Gellner, Uschi

    (University of Zurich)

Abstract

We analyze the relationship between social gender norms and adolescents' occupational choices by combining regional votes on constitutional amendments on gender equality with job application data from a large job board for apprenticeships. Results show that adolescent males in regions with stronger traditional social gender norms are more likely to apply for typically male occupations. This finding does not hold for females, suggesting that incentivizing men to break the norms and choose gender-atypical occupations (e.g., in healthcare) can be even more effective in accelerating advancement toward gender equality in the labor market than incentivizing women to choose STEM occupations.

Suggested Citation

  • Palffy, Patricia & Lehnert, Patrick & Backes-Gellner, Uschi, 2022. "Social Norms and Gendered Occupational Choices of Men and Women: Time to Turn the Tide?," IZA Discussion Papers 15704, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15704
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social norms; occupational gender segregation; occupational choice;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • M59 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Other

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