Masculinity Around the World

Ieda Matavelli and her co-authors explore how masculinity norms—attitudes and behaviors considered socially appropriate for men—shape economic behavior, health outcomes, and political preferences. To do so, they collect new evidence from nationally representative face-to-face interviews and online surveys among 87,000 individuals in 70 countries. In economics, men’s adherence to dominance masculinity norms fosters greater labor supply and competitiveness, but constrains occupational choices to traditionally masculine sectors. In health, dominance masculinity norms predict greater risk taking and poorer mental health. In politics, adherence to masculinity norms predicts support for antidemocratic and antimarket strongman leadership.

These patterns have sizeable implications for gender inequality. Differences in adherence to masculinity norms between men and women explain between 16% and 51% of the gender gaps in competitiveness, willingness to work longer hours, risk aversion, and support for liberal democracy.

Ieda Matavelli’s co-authors: Ralph De Haas ( EBRD, KU Leuven and CEPR), Victoria Baranov ( University of Melbourne and CEPR), and Pauline Grosjean ( UNSW and CEPR)