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Advancing the Agency of Adolescent Girls

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  • Eric V. Edmonds
  • Benjamin Feigenberg
  • Jessica Leight

Abstract

Can life skills be taught in early adolescence? Using a clustered randomized control trial, this study analyzes the impact of a school-based life skills intervention in grades six and seven within a sample of 2,459 girls in Rajasthan, India. Our evidence suggests that the intervention is successful in developing stronger life skills including increased agency, more equitable gender norms, and stronger socio-emotional support. Girls also drop out of school at a lower rate: we observe an approximately 25 percent decline in dropout that persists from seventh grade through the transition to high school.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric V. Edmonds & Benjamin Feigenberg & Jessica Leight, 2020. "Advancing the Agency of Adolescent Girls," NBER Working Papers 27513, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:27513
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Claudia Martínez V. & Rubén Poblete-Cazenave, 2024. "Holi Crimes," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 24-041/V, Tinbergen Institute.
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    JEL classification:

    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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