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Maternal Exposure to Terrorism and Child Skills Development

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  • Sonkurt Sen

Abstract

This paper examines the intergenerational effects of maternal exposure to terrorism on early childhood skill development. Using data from the 2018 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey linked to detailed records of terrorist incidents, I measure mothers’ exposure to conflict-related fatalities in their birth cities during early schooling years. I employ a two-stage difference-in-differences estimator that exploits spatial and cohort-level variation in exposure. The results show that maternal exposure to terrorism significantly reduces children’s socio-emotional and physical development, while having no detectable effects on literacy and numeracy. Further analysis suggests that these effects operate through reduced parental investments, lower maternal education andlowerwealth. Severalrobustnesschecks confirm the findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonkurt Sen, 2026. "Maternal Exposure to Terrorism and Child Skills Development," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2025_751, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:bon:boncrc:crctr224_2025_751
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    File URL: https://www.crctr224.de/research/discussion-papers/archive/dp751
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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