Men. Male-biased sex ratios and masculinity norms: evidence from Australia’s colonial past

Victoria Baranov (), Ralph Haas () and Pauline Grosjean
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Victoria Baranov: University of Melbourne
Ralph Haas: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Journal of Economic Growth, 2023, vol. 28, issue 3, No 1, 339-396

Abstract: Abstract We document the historical roots and contemporary consequences of masculinity norms—beliefs about the proper conduct of men. We exploit a natural experiment in which convict transportation in the $$18^{\textrm{th}}$$ 18 th and $$19^{\textrm{th}}$$ 19 th centuries created a variegated spatial pattern of sex ratios across Australia. We show that in areas with heavily male-biased convict populations, relatively more men volunteered for World War I about a century later. Even at present these areas remain characterized by more violence, higher rates of male suicide and other forms of preventable male mortality, and more male-stereotypical occupational segregation. Moreover, in these historically male-biased areas, more Australians recently voted against same-sex marriage and boys—but not girls—are more likely to be bullied in school. We interpret these results as manifestations of masculinity norms that emerged due to intense local male-male competition. Once established, masculinity norms persisted over time through family socialization as well as peer socialization in schools.

Keywords: Masculinity; Identity; Sex ratio; Natural experiment; Cultural persistence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I31 J12 J16 N37 O10 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10887-023-09223-x

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