ANNULLATO - Gender norms and gender-stereotypical labor market behavior across generations.

Abstract

Recent literature delivers evidence of intergenerational correlation in terms of gender stereotypical behavior in the labor market (Humlum, 2019). There can be two explanations for this pattern: selection and causality. Relying on identification through second moments, this paper delivers new evidence that while selection drives the observed correlation in the gender-stereotypical behavior, causality may operate in the other direction. Mothers with more stereotypical occupations tend to have daughters with less stereotypical aspirations. The results are important for policymakers as policies aiming at gender balance across occupations might not have the desired intergenerational spillovers if gender norms remain unchanged