Intrahousehold Time Allocation: An Impact Evaluation of Conditional Cash Transfer Programs
Abstract
Abstract
This paper argues that exogenous changes in household income
alter the allocation of time within the family. To examine this
issue, we propose a theoretical framework that is an extension
of the unitary model of intra-household time allocation where
conditional cash transfers are received by the household and we
test it empirically using non-parametric techniques. This allows
us to study the effects of an exogenous shock, such as a conditional
cash transfer program, on time allocated to various activities
such as work, domestic labor, leisure, and school for children and
adults. Using the exogenous change of a conditional cash transfer
program in Colombia, "Familias en Accion", we find significant
positive effects on work time as well as on leisure and school
for children and smaller effects on adult schooling and domestic
labor, which support our hypothesis. These results are crucial
to fully understand other direct and indirect effects of the program.
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