Masculinity Around The World

Abstract

This paper shows how masculinity norms predict decision-making in key socio-economic and political domains. We collect the first cross-cultural evidence on adherence to masculinity norms among more than 87,000 individuals in 70 countries, combining nationally representative face-to-face surveys and online surveys. In economics, adherence to dominance masculinity supports labor supply at the intensive margin and competitiveness, but generates frictions by constraining occupational choice to traditionally masculine sectors. In health, adherence to dominance masculinity is linked to more risk-taking and higher rates of depression. In politics, it predicts support for anti-democratic and anti-market strongman leadership. Gender differences in adherence to masculinity norms explain as much as 15\% of the gender gap in competitiveness, 30\% of the gender gap in the willingness to supply long working hours, 22\% of the gender gap in risk aversion, and more than two thirds of the gender gap in support for liberal democracy. Our results highlight the dual roles of preferences and social norms in explaining our results.