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Life chances and class: Estimating inequality of opportunity for children and adolescents in South Africa

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  • Asmus Zoch

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the degree to which class and socio-economic background influence a child's life chances and their future perspectives. We build on the growing number of papers that deal with the concept of inequality of opportunity. Comparing children from lower and upper middle-class households we find significant differences in terms of access to basic education, sanitation, clean water and mobility. Our multivariate analysis highlights the importance of class membership for schooling outcomes and labour market prospects of a child. The single most important variable to explain schooling outcomes is mother's education. While income seems to be less important for younger ages, it becomes increasingly important for the chances of reaching matric and obtaining tertiary education. The results are robust for various models and panel data.

Suggested Citation

  • Asmus Zoch, 2015. "Life chances and class: Estimating inequality of opportunity for children and adolescents in South Africa," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1), pages 57-75, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:deveza:v:32:y:2015:i:1:p:57-75
    DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2014.965386
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    Cited by:

    1. David Pérez-Mesa & Gustavo A. Marrero & Sara Darias-Curvo, 2020. "Child health inequality and opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers 557, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    2. Pérez-Mesa, David & Marrero, Gustavo A. & Darias-Curvo, Sara, 2021. "Child health inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa," MPRA Paper 108801, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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