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Left behind to farm? Women's labor re-allocation in rural China

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  • Mu, Ren
  • van de Walle, Dominique

Abstract

The transformation of work during China's rapid economic development is associated with a substantial but little noticed re-allocation of traditional farm labor among women, with some doing much less and some much more. We study how the health, work and time allocation of non-migrant women are affected by the migration of others in their household. We find little impact on their health outcomes but do find that the women left behind are doing more farm work than would have otherwise been the case. We show that this may be a persistent effect, and not just temporary re-allocation. In stark contrast, no such impacts are found for left-behind men.

Suggested Citation

  • Mu, Ren & van de Walle, Dominique, 2011. "Left behind to farm? Women's labor re-allocation in rural China," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(S1), pages 83-97.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:18:y:2011:i:s1:p:s83-s97
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2011.01.009
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