Joshua Eastin|Aseem Prakash
Economic Development and Gender Equality: Is There a Gender Kuznets Curve?
research note examines relationship economic development gender equality drawing concept kuznets curve authors hypothesize relationship economic development gender inequality curvilinear shaped three distinct stages first stage economic development improves gender equality enables greater female laborforce participation independent income stream increases womens intrahousehold bargaining power opportunity develop human capital confers greater political social recognition second stage laborforce stratification gender discrimination encourage divergent malefemale income trajectories decrease opportunity costs female laborforce withdrawal lend traction social resistance burgeoning gender norms consequently deceleration initial equality gains final stage gender equality improves greater educational participation technological advancement provide new employment opportunities women increase opportunity costs staying home encourage evolution new social institutions norms overcome prior discriminatory practices authors find support argument statistical tests relationship economic development gender equality panel 146 developing countries period 19802005 employ four indicators reflect distinct dimensions womens political social economic status find economic development positively influences gender equality per capita incomes 800010000 equality gains level decline slightly second stage 800010000 2500030000 beyond level economic development associated improvements gender equality key implication effect economic development gender equality contingent level development policymakers social activists develop policy correctives ensure economic development confers improvements gender equality across phases development