Work

Human capital investments in children – A comparative analysis of the role of parent- child shared time in selected countries

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: In this paper, we test the hypothesis of parent-child time as a form of human capital investment in children using a propensity score treatment effects approach that accounts for the possible endogenous nature of time use and human capital investment. We broaden the human capital investment notion and focus on shared time in eating, housework, leisure, and TV/video time. Furthermore, we investigate the extent to which the levels and composition of parent-child time varies across three countries: Finland, Germany, and the United States (as social democratic, conservative and liberal welfare regime). Our results reveal some cross-national differences in human capital investment and they provide mixed support for the hypothesis that non-care related parent-child time is human capital enriching. But our results also provide similarities across countries, indicating that family core functions may be common irrespective of welfare regimes.

Source: electronic International Journal of Time Use Research

DOI: 10.13085/eijtur.9.1.120-143

Authors: Eva Österbacka, Joachim Merz, Cathleen D. Zick

Institutions: Åbo Akademi University, University of California, Davis, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, University of Utah

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: U.S. Department of Transportation, California Department of Transportation, University of California, Davis

OpenAlex ID: W1591775569

FWCI: 4.204

Cites: 157

Cited by: 11

Related to: 10