Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP15752
Authors: Cristina Bellsobrero; Antonio Cabrales; Sergi Jimenez-Martin; Judit Vallcastello
Abstract: We study the effect of women’s education on fertility and children’s health during a period of gender equalization and women’s greater access to economic opportunities. In 1980, Spain raised the minimum working age from 14 to 16, while compulsory education age remainedat 14. This reform changed the within-cohort incentives to remain in the educational system. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find that the reform delayed fertility but did not impact completed fertility of affected women. We also show that the reform was detrimentalfor the health of the children’s of affected mothers at delivery. We document two channels for this negative effect: the postponement in the entrance of motherhood and the deterioration of women’s health habits (such as smoking and drinking). This last channel is a direct effect ofthe gender equalization process. However, in the medium run, these more educated mothers are able to reverse the negative health shocks at birth through maternal vigilance and investment in their children’s health habits.
Keywords: education; fertility; infant health; gender equalization
JEL Codes: J81; I25; I12; J13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| 1980 child labor reform (J88) | postponement of first births (J13) |
| 1980 child labor reform (J88) | negative health outcomes for infants (I12) |
| postponement of first births (J13) | increased risks associated with advanced maternal age (J14) |
| 1980 child labor reform (J88) | increased probability of premature births (J19) |
| 1980 child labor reform (J88) | reduction in average birth weight (J19) |
| postponement of first births (J13) | deterioration in maternal health habits (I12) |
| deterioration in maternal health habits (I12) | increased smoking and alcohol consumption (I12) |
| increased smoking and alcohol consumption (I12) | negative health outcomes for infants (I12) |
| more educated mothers (I24) | vigilance and investment in children's health (I19) |
| vigilance and investment in children's health (I19) | no significant differences in children's health status as they aged (I14) |