Do all women shy away from competition? Competitive preferences among Dutch and non-Western females in the Netherlands

Abstract

This study explores the willingness to compete among native Dutch individuals and non-Western migrants in the Netherlands, with a particular focus on first-generation non-Western migrant women. Drawing upon existing literature on competitiveness and career preferences, this research suggests that non-Western migrants, especially the first generation of non-Western migrant women, may exhibit different levels of competitiveness compared to the native Dutch population or native Dutch women. This aspect is crucial for understanding the challenges non-Western immigrant women encounter in the job market and broader societal contexts. Utilizing data from two existing experiments conducted within the publicly accessible LISS framework, our research findings reveal that first generation of non-Western women demonstrate a higher propensity for competition than their Dutch counterparts do. Notably, this pattern is not replicated among non-Western men participants in all generations. The results align with research on gender equality and competitiveness in the countries of origin. In nations like the Netherlands, where gender equality is relatively high, notable differences in competitive preferences between native women and men are observed. However, this disparity is less pronounced among first-generation non-Western migrant women from countries with lower levels of gender equality. Additionally, the study uncovers variations in competitive preferences between native Dutch and non-Western migrant women within the same societal setting. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions among ethnicity, competitiveness, and gender dynamics in Dutch society.