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Children’s Time Allocation and the Socioeconomic Gap in Human Capital

Author

Listed:
  • Nicole Black

    (Monash University)

  • Danusha Jayawardana

    (Monash University)

  • Gawain Heckley

    (Lund University)

Abstract

Children’s time investments in various activities may be important for reducing socioeconomic status (SES) gaps in educational and mental health outcomes. Using time use diaries of Australian children aged 4-14, we find children from low SES backgrounds spend more time on digital media and less time on cognitively stimulating out-of-school activities, organised or for leisure. This difference contributes about 4% to the observed SES gap in numeracy skills. The contribution is larger for males, older age groups, and when the cumulative effect on learning is considered. No clear results are found for literacy skills and mental health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Black & Danusha Jayawardana & Gawain Heckley, 2023. "Children’s Time Allocation and the Socioeconomic Gap in Human Capital," Papers 2023-06, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University.
    • Handle: RePEc:mhe:chemon:2023-06
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Time use; mental health; cognitive skills; socioeconomic gap; human capital;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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