The Effects of Religious Beliefs on the Working Decisions of Women: Some Evidence from Turkey

Lou O'Neil, Mary and Bilgin, Mehmet Huseyin and Lau, Chi Keung Marco (2012): The Effects of Religious Beliefs on the Working Decisions of Women: Some Evidence from Turkey.

Abstract

This paper examines the decision of Turkish women to participate in the labor force. We administered a original survey questionnaire in 2009 to 518 non-working women. Employing logistic regression, we found that religious belief is a crucial factor that discourages women from participating in the labor market. In particular, the regular performance of religious rituals have the greatest negative effect on labor market participation for educated women, who are the most productive human resource in the economy.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Women, religious beliefs, labor force, working decisions, Turkey
• Subjects: J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O5 - Economywide Country Studies; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z12 - Religion

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