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

Cevat Giray Aksoy, Christopher S. Carpenter (), Ralph De Haas and Kevin Tran
Additional contact information
Christopher S. Carpenter: Vanderbilt University

No 11743, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

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 toward 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 statistically significant improvements in attitudes toward 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 in shaping societal attitudes.

Keywords: LGBT attitudes; same-sex relationship recognition policies; public opinion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F5 K36 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 2018-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-law and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

Published - revised version published in: European Economic Review, 2020, 124, 103399

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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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