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Parental Preferences for Nutrition of Boys and Girls: Evidence from Africa

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: This article models the determinants of pre-school age malnutrition in Africa using the Demographic Health Surveys. By examining the differences in the impact of mother's and father's education on the nutrition of boys and girls, we draw inferences from our reduced-form equations regarding the existence of non-unified preferences. In a bargaining framework, women with more schooling are able to earn more, which improves their fallback position. Thus, we test whether mother's schooling has a larger impact on daughter's than son's nutrition, and whether father's education favors son's nutrition. Using classical testing criteria, we generally find that preferences of fathers and mother differ in regard to the health of boys and girls.

Source: The Journal of Development Studies

DOI: 10.1080/00220380412331322651

Authors: D.E. Sahn, D.C. Stifel

Language: English

Topic: Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2104009937

FWCI: 8.637

Cites:

Cited by: 73

Related to: 10