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Gender Differences in the Benefits of an Influential Early Childhood Program

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  • García, Jorge Luis

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Heckman, James J.

    (University of Chicago)

  • Ziff, Anna

    (University of Chicago)

Abstract

This paper estimates gender differences in life-cycle impacts across multiple domains of an influential enriched early childhood program targeted toward disadvantaged children that was evaluated by the method of random assignment. We assess the impacts of the program on promoting or alleviating population differences in outcomes by gender. For many outcomes, boys benefit relatively more from high-quality center childcare programs compared to low-quality programs. For them, home care, even in disadvantaged environments, is more beneficial than lower-quality center childcare for many outcomes. This phenomenon is not found for girls. We investigate the sources of the gender differentials in impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • García, Jorge Luis & Heckman, James J. & Ziff, Anna, 2017. "Gender Differences in the Benefits of an Influential Early Childhood Program," IZA Discussion Papers 10758, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10758
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    randomized trials; health; early childhood education; childcare; gender differences; substitution bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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