Family size and schooling in sub-Saharan African settings: A reexamination

Abstract

Contrary to theory and evidence from many other regions, previous studies in sub-Saharan Africa have found surprisingly weak associations between family size and schooling. It is unclear; however, whether these weak results reflect (spurious) limitations in methodology or (real) differences in context. This study uses schooling histories from Cameroon to test four contending methodological and contextual explanations for these weak results: measurement bias, statistical estimation bias, family buffering, and socioeconomic context. We find the strongest support for the last explanation: the relationship between family size and schooling varies with spatial and historical context. This relationship has strengthened within the country over time, and this raises concern about the implications of current demographic transitions on inequality among children.

The declining effect of sibling size on children's education in Costa Rica

“…Interestingly, our findings seem to be different from a number of previous studies that similarly explore the heterogeneous relationship between family size and children's education, albeit in alternative contexts (e.g., Eloundou-Enyegue and Williams 2006;Maralani 2008;Martelato and de Souza 2012). While those studies generally find the relationship to be strengthening over time, our analysis suggests the opposite in Costa Rica.…”

Parental investment and the optimization of human family size

“…Yet, recent studies suggest that negative effects of large family size are becoming increasingly evident over time and as communities urbanize ( [96], see also [97]). Gibson & Lawson [98] compare parental investments in schooling in rural Ethiopian villages with and without installed tap stands, which have dramatically reduced childhood mortality.…”

Children's stunting in sub-Saharan Africa: Is there an externality effect of high fertility?

“…Such a 'sibling effect' may be considered part of a more general health and economic disadvantage of children in large families (e.g. Anh et al 1998;Cleland et al 2006;Eloundou-Enyegue and Williams 2006;Li, Zhang, and Zhu 2008) and their mothers (e.g. Montgomery and Lloyd 1996).…”