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Empirically probing the quantity–quality model
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Empirically probing the quantity–quality model

Author

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  • Emla Fitzsimons
  • Bansi Malde

Abstract

This paper etimates the causal effects of family size on girls’ education in Mexico, exploiting prenatal son preference as a source of random variation in the propensity to have more children within an instrumental variables framework. It finds no evidence of family size having an adverse effect on education. The paper then weakens the identification assumption and allows for the possibility that the instrument is invalid. It finds that the effects of family size on girls’ schooling remain extremely modest at most. Families that are relatively large compensate for reduced per-child resources by increasing maternal labour supply. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Emla Fitzsimons & Bansi Malde, 2014. "Empirically probing the quantity–quality model," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 27(1), pages 33-68, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:27:y:2014:i:1:p:33-68
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-013-0474-8
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fertility; Education; Instrumental variables; Latin America; I20; J13; J16;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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