Introduction to A Theory of the Allocation of Time by Gary Becker

James Heckman

No 8424, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Gary Becker's classic study, A Theory of the Allocation of Time, laid the analytical foundations for the study of household production and the allocation of time within the household. The analytical framework of household production theory developed in this paper remained a pillar of his later work on the economics of the family and the economics of nonmarket activities more generally. Becker provided a formal model of households producing outputs like food, children, and housing that bundled goods and time. Becker's great contribution was to apply the model to interpret a broad array of empirical phenomena. Becker's framework allowed for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of consumer choice, and interpretation of income and substitution effects. Its continuing relevance in empirical economics is a testimony to its power.

Keywords: empirical economics; economics of the family; household production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B31 D13 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 17 pages
Date: 2014-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his, nep-hpe and nep-ltv
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

Published - published in: Economic Journal, 2015,125 (583), 403–409

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Journal Article: Introduction to A Theory of the Allocation of Time by Gary Becker (2015)
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