The Math Gender Gap: The Role of Culture

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2016
Volume: 106
Issue: 5
Pages: 257-61

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of gender-related culture on the math gender gap by analysing math test scores of second-generation immigrants, who are all exposed to a common set of host country laws and institutions. We find that immigrant girls whose parents come from more gender-equal countries perform better (relative to similar boys) than immigrant girls whose parents come from less gender-equal countries, suggesting an important role of cultural beliefs on the role of women in society on the math gender gap. The transmission of cultural beliefs accounts for at least two thirds of the overall contribution of gender-related factors.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:106:y:2016:i:5:p:257-61
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-26