Digital Commons @ Connecticut College

Title

Understanding the Remittance Gender Gap among Hispanics in the U.S.: Gendered Norms and Role of Expectations

Authors

Yongjin Park, Connecticut College
María Amparo Cruz-Saco, Connecticut College
Mónika López-Anuarbe, Connecticut CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-20-2016

Comments

This is the authors' final manuscript. This article was originally published in Feminist Economics, 2016.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13545701.2016.1197409

Abstract

Using the 2006 Latino National Survey (LNS), this study analyzes the existence of a gender gap in favor of men in the monetary remittance behavior of Hispanics residing in the United States. Findings indicate that cultural gender norms and expectations in the country of origin play a key role. The study shows that women migrants are less likely to remit than men and, when they do, they transfer smaller amounts. The remittance gender gap is not universal among subgroups, since it is only observable among Hispanics who came to the US to improve their economic situation, plan to return to their home country, and have low income and low schooling. An index on migrants’ perceptions of gender roles as a proxy for cultural gendered norms is constructed and shows that more traditional gender views are associated with a significant gender gap in favor of men in remittances.

Recommended Citation

Park, Yongjin; Cruz-Saco, María Amparo; and López-Anuarbe, Mónika, "Understanding the Remittance Gender Gap among Hispanics in the U.S.: Gendered Norms and Role of Expectations" (2016). Economics Faculty Publications. 38.
https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/econfacpub/38