AUTHOR=Li Zhongwu 

TITLE=Physical attractiveness and women’s intra-household bargaining power

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.853083

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.853083

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p>This paper explores the role of physical attractiveness in affecting women’s intra-household bargaining power. The empirical analysis based on the China Family Panel Studies finds that physical attractiveness significantly increases women’s intra-household bargaining power. To solve the endogenous problem of physical attractiveness, we employ an instrument-variable-based regression to corroborate the conclusion. Using generalized structural equation model, we show that income, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationship are three possible transmission channels (or mediators) between physical attractiveness and women’s intra-household bargaining power.</p>