Do Laws Shape Attitudes? Evidence from Same-Sex Relationship Recognition Policies in Europe

Cevat G. Aksoy, Christopher S. Carpenter, Ralph De Haas and Kevin Tran

No 1772, Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin from DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research

Abstract: Understanding whether laws shape or simply reflect citizens’ attitudes is important but empirically difficult. We provide new evidence on this question by studying the relationship between legal same-sex relationship recognition policies (SSRRPs) and attitudes towards sexual minorities in Europe. Using data from the European Social Surveys covering 2002-2016 and exploiting variation in the timing of SSRRPs across countries, we show that legal relationship recognition is associated with a statistically significant increase in favourable attitudes towards sexual minorities. These effects are widespread across demographic groups, emerge only after the policies are adopted, and are not observed for views on other social issues. Our results suggest that laws can exert a powerful influence on societal attitudes.

Keywords: Public opinion; same-sex relationship recognition policies; LGBT attitudes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F5 K36 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 p.
Date: 2018
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur and nep-law
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Do laws shape attitudes? Evidence from same-sex relationship recognition policies in Europe (2020)
Working Paper: Do Laws Shape Attitudes? Evidence from Same-Sex Relationship Recognition Policies in Europe (2020)
Working Paper: Do Laws Shape Attitudes? Evidence from Same-Sex Relationship Recognition Policies in Europe (2018)
Working Paper: Do Laws Shape Attitudes?: Evidence from Same-Sex Relationship Recognition Policies in Europe (2018)
Working Paper: Do Laws Shape Attitudes?: Evidence from Same-Sex Relationship Recognition Policies in Europe (2018)
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