From Nutrition to Aspirations and Self-Efficacy: Gender Bias over Time among Children in Four Countries
Abstract
We use data on children at ages 8, 12, and 15 from Young Lives, a cohort study of 12,000 children across Ethiopia, India (Andhra Pradesh), Peru, and Vietnam to document the presence of a gender gap across indicators of nutrition, education, aspirations, subjective well-being, and psychosocial competencies. We find considerable heterogeneity across countries, ages, and indicators in the existence and direction of gender gaps. Second, we find evidence of an 鈥渋nstitutionalized鈥� gender bias against girls in education in India and, to an extent, Ethiopia. Poorer non-cognitive skills could be a channel for continuing gender bias through poorer labor market outcomes.
Citation
Dercon, S.; Singh, A. From Nutrition to Aspirations and Self-Efficacy: Gender Bias over Time among Children in Four Countries. World Development (2013) 45: 31-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.12.001]