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Do Unwanted Births Affect the Educational Well-Being of Indian Children? Evidence from a Panel Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ronak Paul

    (Ronak Paul is at Department of Public Health and Mortality Studies, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.)

  • Rashmi Rashmi

    (Rashmi Rashmi (corresponding author) is at Department of Population and Development, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: rashmir635@gmail.com)

Abstract

In India, the occurrence of unwanted births is linked to the growing preference for smaller family sizes, revealing a gap between family planning goals and effective contraception. While previous studies have acknowledged the adverse health outcomes of unwanted births, there is limited literature on their impact on educational well-being. This study examines the effect of unwanted births on the educational well-being of Indian children, using data from the India Human Development Survey panel of 6,575 children aged 1–4 in 2005, followed up in 2012. Using the principal component factor analysis and propensity score matching, we found that unwanted births significantly reduce both objective and subjective educational well-being scores. Additionally, improved sanitation, higher socioeconomic status, and greater educational attainment among adults, especially females, in households were associated with better educational outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of effective family planning programmes to reduce unwanted births and enhance child development in India. JEL Codes: C31, C38, C52, I24, J13, Y8

Suggested Citation

  • Ronak Paul & Rashmi Rashmi, 2024. "Do Unwanted Births Affect the Educational Well-Being of Indian Children? Evidence from a Panel Study," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 18(3-4), pages 310-335, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:mareco:v:18:y:2024:i:3-4:p:310-335
    DOI: 10.1177/00252921241309732
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:plo:pone00:0144400 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Abhishek Singh & Satvika Chalasani & Michael Koenig & Bidhubhusan Mahapatra, 2012. "The consequences of unintended births for maternal and child health in India," Population Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 66(3), pages 223-239.
    3. John Bongaarts & John B. Casterline, 2018. "From Fertility Preferences to Reproductive Outcomes in the Developing World," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 44(4), pages 793-809, December.
    4. Spears, Dean, 2012. "Height and cognitive achievement among Indian children," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 210-219.
    5. Ashish Singh & Sarthak Gaurav & Upasak Das, 2013. "Household Headship and Academic Skills of Indian Children: A Special Focus on Gender Disparities [Sexe du chef de ménage et compétences scolaires des enfants indiens : une analyse des disparités entre sexe]," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 29(4), pages 445-466, November.
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    8. Deon Filmer & Kinnon Scott, 2012. "Assessing Asset Indices," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 49(1), pages 359-392, February.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • C38 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Classification Methdos; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Analysis
    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • Y8 - Miscellaneous Categories - - Related Disciplines

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