Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-6-2026

Faculty Advisor(s)

Ann Gordon

Abstract

Due to prescribed gender roles in society and wage gaps, historically, women have had to rely on spouses and family for economic survival. Now, with access to higher education and increased salaries, their economic fears are shifting. In this paper I analyze the extent of the gender gap in the fear of economic and financial collapse of Americans. Using the Chapman Survey of American Fear, an original data set surveying the degree to which American adults fear incidents collected in spring of 2025, men and women of the same education fear economic collapse differently, signifying men fear economic collapse less than women. I also find this phenomenon is replicated with some respect to education level and men overall fear economic collapse less than women. While individuals living under the same economic conditions are exposed to the same fluctuations in the macro and micro economy, gender and education influence one’s perception of their own financial situation vastly, allowing for differences in preference for policy and elections. Although the differences according to gender and education are moderately strong, the underlying causes of these discrepancies highlight the social and educational differences surrounding attitudes towards the economy between gender roles.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2026 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

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