The effects of household structure and economic resources on child well-being
Date
2005-04-01
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Abstract
The primary objective of this study is to examine the effects of household structure and economic resources on children's well being in the Philippines. Data from the 1998 National Demographic Health Survey are used in a series of logistic models to test hypotheses derived from the child well-being literature. The results provide support to the thesis that household structure and economic resources significantly affect children's well-being. Children living in single female-headed households are more likely to be vaccinated but less likely to attend school than children living in nuclear households. In terms of economic resources, children living in the poorest quintile are less likely to receive vaccination and to attend school than children living in the richest quintile. In addition to household structure and economic resources, other pertinent variables that have an effect on child well-being are also explored. Relevant variables such as caregiver characteristics (household head age, educational attainment, and female parent's labor force status), child characteristics, and community characteristic also show significant effects on child outcomes. Older and more educated heads and female parents in the labor force have children more likely to receive vaccination and attend school. Children with fewer siblings are better off as well. Being a female child and living in urban area also have positive effects on school attendance. Among the independent variables tested, household structure proved to be the most important variable in the model.
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Keywords
Household structure, Chill well-being, Family dynamics, Economic resources, Socioeconomic status