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Norms and Reform: Legalizing Homosexuality Improves Attitudes

2017; RELX Group (Netherlands); Linguagem: Inglês

10.2139/ssrn.3062911

1556-5068

Charles Kenny, Dev Patel,

Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences

This analysis examines the relationship between legal reform and social norms surrounding homosexuality. We document three main findings. First, about a fifth of the variation in individual preferences can be explained at a country level. Second, using a difference-in-differences strategy, legalizing homosexuality improves how individuals view the tone of their communities. Third, we provide further evidence supporting a legal origins argument by examining former colonies. Countries that were colonized by the British Empire have significantly worse legal rights for same-sex couples than those under other colonial powers. We conclude that adopting legal reform can improve societal attitudes.