How much, and why? A critical introduction to the theory and quantitative analysis of intra-household resource distribution

This chapter provides a critical overview of the theory and the quantitative analysis of intra-household resource distribution from the perspective of economics. It begins by setting out models of resource allocation that understand intra-household distribution as the outcome of strategic interactions between agents with competing and sometimes conflicting interests. It describes the ‘collective model’ which has come to dominate much empirical analysis of intra-household resource distribution and considers reasons to be careful about the estimates produced by this method. It then discusses future directions for research on intra-household resource allocation, arguing for the importance of better data, more interdisciplinary research and better understanding of the processes of intra-household decision-making. The chapter concludes that there is no one best approach to conceptualizing and analysing intra-household resource distribution, but rather that each approach provides insight into the workings of households, and the forces that influence the wellbeing of people living in them.