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Sharing norm, household efficiency and female demand for agency in the Philippines

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  • Jean-Marie Baland

    (Center for Research in the Economics of Development, University of Namur)

  • Ludovic Bequet
  • Catherine Guirkinger
  • Clarice Manuel

Abstract

Households in the Philippines are characterized by durable unions and a relatively high status of women who are entrusted with the management of household finances, a context conducive to intra-household cooperation. We run experimental games with couples in the rural Philippines. We first find the prevalence of a strong sharing norm whereby women secure about two thirds of the total payoffs, in line with their prominent role in the family. Despite a favourable setting, couples incur large efficiency losses of about 46% of potential gains. We interpret this finding as revealing a strong, latent demand for agency by women who express a strong preference for hidden money over (larger) transfers from their husband as the latter involve an implicit control over their use. These findings challenge a naive view of female empowerment that solely focuses on the apparent control over household resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Marie Baland & Ludovic Bequet & Catherine Guirkinger & Clarice Manuel, 2022. "Sharing norm, household efficiency and female demand for agency in the Philippines," DeFiPP Working Papers 2201, University of Namur, Development Finance and Public Policies.
    • Handle: RePEc:nam:defipp:2201
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