Child Labor and Learning

Patrick M. Emerson (), Vladimir Ponczek and André Souza
Additional contact information
Patrick M. Emerson: Oregon State University

No 7578, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of working while in school on learning outcomes through the use of a unique micro panel dataset of students in the São Paulo municipal school system. The potential endogeneity of working decisions and learning outcomes is addressed through the use of a difference-in-difference estimator and it is shown that the results are robust. A negative and significant effect of working on learning outcomes in both math and Portuguese is found. The effects of child work from the benchmark regressions range from 3% to 8% of a standard deviation decline in test score which represents a loss of about a quarter to a half of a year of learning on average. Additionally, it is found that this effect is likely due to the interference of work with the time kids can devote to school and school work.

Keywords: child labor; learning; proficiency; education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 J13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2013-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-edu and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Child Labor and Learning (2017)
Working Paper: Child labor and learning (2014)
Working Paper: Child labor and learning (2013)
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