Institutions, Development, and Parenting in Latin America

This study examines how institutional quality and economic inequality influence parenting decisions across Latin America. Parenting is conceptualized as a strategic response to structural conditions, where families adapt both long-term approaches and short-term disciplinary tactics to local environments. Unlike much of the existing literature, which focuses on high-income countries, this analysis integrates parenting styles and disciplinary practices, emphasizing the role of behavioral control in low- and middle-income contexts. Using cross-country data from the World Values Survey (WVS) and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), the study presents stylized facts and investigates cross-sectional associations between governance, inequality, and parenting behaviors. Results indicate that families adjust their strategies in response to institutional environments, particularly in settings with limited public support and uncertain intergenerational mobility. These findings highlight the importance of considering governance and inequality as key drivers of parenting practices in developing regions.