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The Poverty Hypothesis and Intergenerational Transmission of Child Labor: Evidence from Ghana

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  • Sam, Victoria Nyarkoah

Abstract

This study seeks to find evidence to support the claim that Child labor in Ghana is mainly a poverty phenomenon and follows an inter-generational pattern. The two econometric approaches used show that poor households are more likely to send their children out to work. Furthermore, parents are more likely to send their children out to work if they were child laborers themselves. The study recommends that policy should focus on the reduction of poverty since it is a major determinant of child labor, this will automatically prevent the perpetuation of child labor into the next generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Sam, Victoria Nyarkoah, 2016. "The Poverty Hypothesis and Intergenerational Transmission of Child Labor: Evidence from Ghana," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 4(2), July.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afjecr:264435
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.264435
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Canagarajah, Sudharshan & Coulombe, Harold, 1997. "Child labor and schooling in Ghana," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1844, The World Bank.
    2. Wahba, Jackline, 2000. "Do market wages influence child labor and child schooling?," Social Protection Discussion Papers and Notes 23144, The World Bank.
    3. Shahina Amin & M. Shakil Quayes & Janet M. Rives, 2004. "Poverty and Other Determinants of Child Labor in Bangladesh," Southern Economic Journal, Southern Economic Association, vol. 70(4), pages 876-892, April.
    4. Christelle Dumas, 2007. "Why do parents make their children work? A test of the poverty hypothesis in rural areas of Burkina Faso," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 59(2), pages 301-329, April.
    5. Shahina Amin & M. Shakil Quayes & Janet M. Rives, 2004. "Poverty and Other Determinants of Child Labor in Bangladesh," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 70(4), pages 876-892, April.
    6. Nielsen, H.S., 1998. "Child Labor and School Attendance: Two Joint Decisions," Papers 98-15, Centre for Labour Market and Social Research, Danmark-.
    7. Ray, Ranjan, 2000. "Child Labor, Child Schooling, and Their Interaction with Adult Labor: Empirical Evidence for Peru and Pakistan," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 14(2), pages 347-367, May.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Alem, Habtamu Wandimy & Laha, Arindam, 2021. "Socio-Economic Determinants of Street Children Category and Their Occupational Choice: Evidence from the Regional State of Oromia, Ethiopia," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 9(2), April.
    3. Ronald Musizvingoza & Jonathan Blagbrough & Nicola Suyin Pocock, 2022. "Are Child Domestic Workers Worse Off than Their Peers? Comparing Children in Domestic Work, Child Marriage, and Kinship Care with Biological Children of Household Heads: Evidence from Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-18, June.

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