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The effect of violent crime on teenage pregnancy in Mexico

Author

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  • Magda Tsaneva

    (Clark University)

  • Pinar Mine Gunes

    (University of Alberta)

Abstract

This paper explores the effect of violent crime on teenage pregnancy in Mexico using data from a nationally representative longitudinal survey conducted before and after an unexpected surge in violence. In order to identify the effects, we use a triple difference-in-differences strategy exploiting variation in (i) exposure to the surge in violence between sample periods, (ii) the intensity of violence as measured by municipal homicide rates, and (iii) age of different cohorts. We find that the average increase in homicide rates over the study period reduced the probability of teenage pregnancy by approximately 1.5%. We also demonstrate that the effect is more acute among women with worse economic conditions prior to the surge in violence. Analysis of mechanisms shows that reductions in teenage pregnancy is partly explained by changes in the sexual behavior of young women.

Suggested Citation

  • Magda Tsaneva & Pinar Mine Gunes, 2020. "The effect of violent crime on teenage pregnancy in Mexico," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 141-164, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:18:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s11150-018-9430-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-018-9430-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Audrey Au Yong Lyn & Helmut Rainer, 2019. "Prohibition without Protection: Marriageable Age Law Reforms and Adolescent Fertility in Mexico," ifo Working Paper Series 314, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    2. Manian, Shanthi, 2021. "Conflict and risky health behavior: Evidence from Mexico's drug war," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Violent crime; Teenage pregnancy; Difference-in-differences; Mexico;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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