Work

Empowering Women: The Effect of Schooling on Young Women's Knowledge and Use of Contraception

Year: 2014

Type: preprint

Abstract: Large differences in fertility between women with high and low levels of education suggest that schooling may have a direct impact on knowledge and use of contraception. We investigate this issue using information on women in Mexico. In order to identify the causal effect of schooling, we exploit temporal and geographic variation in the number of lower secondary schools built following the extension of compulsory education in Mexico from 6th to 9th grade in 1993. We show that raising females' schooling beyond 6th grade increases their knowledge of contraception during their reproductive years and increases their propensity to use contraception at sexual debut. This indicates that the impact of schooling on women's wellbeing extends beyond improved labor market outcomes and includes greater autonomy over their fertility.

Source: RePEc: Research Papers in Economics

Authors: Andalón, Mabel, Williams, Jenny, Grossman, Michael

Institution: The University of Melbourne

Language: English

Topic: Reproductive Health and Contraception

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Gender equality, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W4300899537

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Related to: 10