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Parental preferences and allocations of investments in children's learning and health within families

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  • Abufhele, Alejandra
  • Behrman, Jere
  • Bravo, David

Abstract

Empirical evidence suggests that parental preferences may be important in determining investment allocations among their children. However, there is mixed or no evidence on a number of important related questions. Do parents invest more in better-endowed children, thus reinforcing differentials among their children? Or do they invest more in less-endowed children to compensate for their smaller endowments and reduce inequalities among their children? Does higher maternal education affect the preferences underlying parental decisions in investing among their children? What difference might such intrafamilial investments among children make? And what is the nature of these considerations in the very different context of developing countries?

Suggested Citation

  • Abufhele, Alejandra & Behrman, Jere & Bravo, David, 2017. "Parental preferences and allocations of investments in children's learning and health within families," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 76-86.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:194:y:2017:i:c:p:76-86
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.051
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    4. Wei Fan & Catherine Porter, 2020. "Reinforcement or compensation? Parental responses to children’s revealed human capital levels," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 33(1), pages 233-270, January.
    5. Shi, Jiayi & Li, Ling & Wu, Dandan & Li, Hui, 2021. "Are only children always better? Testing the sibling effects on academic performance in rural Chinese adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).

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