From nutrition to aspirations and self-efficacy : gender bias over time among children in four countries

Journal article

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 'institutionalized' 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 labour market outcomes.

Authors: Dercon, S; Singh, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: World Development
• Volume: 45
• Pages: 31-50
• Publication date: 2013-01-01
• Edition: Accepted manuscript
• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.12.001
• ISSN: 0305-750X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Ethiopia; India; Peru; Vietnam; gender; cohort study
• Subjects: Gender; Children and youth; Social Sciences