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Do Constraints on Women Worsen Child Deprivations? Framework, Measurement, and Evidence from India

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Listed:
  • Posso, Alberto

    (RMIT University)

  • Smith, Stephen C.

    (George Washington University)

  • Ferrone, Lucia

    (UNICEF)

Abstract

This paper provides a framework for analyzing constraints that apply specifically to women, which theory suggests may have negative impacts on child outcomes (as well as on women). We classify women's constraints into four dimensions: (i) domestic physcial and psychological abuse, (ii) low influence on household decisions, (iii) restrictions on mobility, and (iv) limited information access. Each of these constraints are in principle determined within households. We test the impact of women's constraints on child outcomes using nationally representative household Demographic and Health Survey data from India, including 53,030 mothers and 113,708 children, collected in 2015-16. Outcomes are measured as multidimensional deprivations, utilizing UNICEF's Multidimensional Overlapping Deprivation Analysis index, incorporating deficiencies in children's access to water, sanitation, housing, healthcare, nutrition, education and information. We identify causal impacts using a Lewbel specification and present an array of additional econometric strategies and robustness checks. We find that children of women who are subjected to domestic abuse, have low influence in decision making, and limited freedom of mobility are more likely to be deprived.

Suggested Citation

  • Posso, Alberto & Smith, Stephen C. & Ferrone, Lucia, 2019. "Do Constraints on Women Worsen Child Deprivations? Framework, Measurement, and Evidence from India," IZA Discussion Papers 12196, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12196
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    child deprivations; MODA; child health; child nutrition; education; bargaining; empowerment; domestic abuse; mobility restrictions; information access; gendered constraints; multidimensional measurement; Lewbel estimation; instrumental variables; matching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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