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Can New Learning Opportunities Reshape Gender Attitudes for Girls?: Field Evidence from Tanzania

Author

Listed:
  • So Yoon Ahn

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • Youjin Hahn

    (Yonsei University)

  • Semee Yoon

    (Yonsei University)

Abstract
We study how educational opportunities change adolescents' gender attitudes in Tanzania, using an experiential education program focused on STEM subjects. After the intervention, girls' gender attitudes became more progressive by 0.29 standard deviations, but boys' gender attitudes did not change. Perceived improvement in the labor market opportunities appears to be an important channel to explain the result. The intervention also increased girls' weekly study hours and boosted their interests in STEM-related subjects and occupations. Our results show that providing STEM-related educational opportunities to girls in developing countries can be an effective way of improving their gender attitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • So Yoon Ahn & Youjin Hahn & Semee Yoon, 2021. "Can New Learning Opportunities Reshape Gender Attitudes for Girls?: Field Evidence from Tanzania," Working Papers 2021-046, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2021-046
    Note: FI
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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Ahn_Hahn_Yoon_2021_new-learning-gender-attitudes.pdf
    File Function: First version, August 26, 2021
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    STEM; labor market outcomes; developing countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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