The authors survey economists in the United States holding membership in the American Economic Association (AEA) to determine if there are significant differences in views between male and female economists on important policy issues. Controlling for place of current employment (academic institution with graduate program, academic institution—undergraduate only, government, for‐profit institution) and decade of PhD, the authors find many areas in which economists agree. However, important differences exist in the views of male and female economists on issues including the minimum wage, views on labor standards, health insurance, and especially on explanations for the gender wage gap and issues of equal opportunity in the labor market and the economics profession itself. These results lend support to the notion that gender diversity in policy‐making circles may be an important aspect in broadening the menu of public policy choices. (JEL A11, J78, A14)

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Beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year, the U.S. government required that all federally funded schools have local wellness policies to promote healthful living and reduce obesity among their students; however, little evidence exists on which school food policies are effective. This article finds evidence that prohibiting à la carte junk food sales during meals reduces the likelihood that students will be overweight or obese by 18 percentage points. The data are merged student-parent-school survey responses collected from a small sample of schools in one Great Plains state. The estimation controls for students' activity levels, genetics, and socioeconomic factors; parents' activity levels and attitudes; and the overall mix of school marketing policies that promote healthful eating and drinking habits. The results indicate that banning à la carte junk food sales is a potentially effective policy to reduce the likelihood of students being overweight and obese.

Summary In this study, we survey male and female economists located at universities in the European Union to determine if there are gender differences in views on core economic principles and a wide variety of contemporary policy issues. Controlling for country of residence, degree vintage, and location of Ph.D. earned, we find statistically significant differences in views of male and female economists in all of the topic areas examined. These results lend support to the notion that gender diversity in policy‐making circles may be an important aspect in broadening the menu of public policy choices.

This paper examines geographic differences in occupational segregation by sex in male-dominated, higheducation STEM and non-STEM occupations to determine if labor market conditions for women vary according to red-state/blue-state patterns. Controlling for state demographic variables, economic factors, and labor market characteristics, our results show that there are indeed differences in labor market outcomes along red-state/blue-state lines, with blue states showing more integrated labor market outcomes than red states. Our results suggest that there may indeed be important differences in labor market outcomes for women associated with values differences in red versus blue states.