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The Effects of Parental Absence on Children Development: Evidence from Left-Behind Children in China

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  • Mingzhi Mao

    (School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Lijun Zang

    (School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Haifeng Zhang

    (School of Economics and Center of Social Welfare and Governance, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

Abstract

Parental care in early childhood is viewed as one of the most important factors that help foster children’s abilities. Using two nationally representative datasets collected in China, this paper examines the effects of parental absence on the short-term in-school outcomes and long-term educational achievement of left-behind children. The results show that parental absence is negatively associated with the development of left-behind children. Left-behind children have a lower cognitive test score and academic test score, and they are also less likely to attend a college. In particular, a mother’s absence seems to have persistent negative effects on children’s development. Mechanism analyses show that parental absence may result in a less healthy mental status of children and reduce children’s efforts in class. However, we do not find significant evidence that the exposure to left-behind children in class lowers the in-school outcomes of children.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingzhi Mao & Lijun Zang & Haifeng Zhang, 2020. "The Effects of Parental Absence on Children Development: Evidence from Left-Behind Children in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-17, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6770-:d:414748
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    Cited by:

    1. Li Han & Wenjian Xu, 2022. "Communication or Alienation? Relationship Between Negative Life Events and Mental Health of Left-Behind Children in Rural China," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(6), pages 3559-3577, December.
    2. Efe, Carol & Dr. Igberaharha Omovigho Clever, 2024. "Influence of Parental Variables on Academic Achievement of Business Education Students. A Case Study of Teritary Institutions in Delta State," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(1), pages 322-337, January.
    3. Chunhai Gao & Endale Tadesse & Sabika Khalid, 2022. "Word of Mouth from Left-Behind Children in Rural China: Exploring Their Psychological, Academic and Physical Well-being During COVID-19," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(5), pages 1719-1740, October.
    4. Xiaoou Man & Jiatong Liu & Yutong Bai, 2021. "The Influence of Discrepancies between Parents’ Educational Aspirations and Children’s Educational Expectations on Depressive Symptoms of Left-Behind Children in Rural China: The Mediating Role of Sel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, November.

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