Impact of Female Employment and Education on Child Health Care: A Case Study of Pakistan

Abstract

The majority of the females become a part of the labour force to share the burden of families in Pakistan, and they contribute to the cost of their children's health care. This issue is highlighted in this study. This research focuses on females’ education and their involvement in the labour market and child health care in Pakistan. The activities that affect the health of children are analysed here by using time use survey data. The ordinary least squares regression technique is used to find an association of female related and household related variables and their child health care. The results reveal that female’s age and employment affect child health care negatively. However, female’s age square and child health care are positively related. Moreover, the mother’s educational grade dummies, assets of family and family size positively affect the child's health care. The study concludes that mature females provide better care to their children's health. However, employed females have less time to care for their child's health. Those females who belong to the joint family system can better look after their children due to their share of household responsibilities. In addition, educated and financially strong females provide better health care to their children. The study suggests that lower-cost care centers can make the high participation of females in the labour market. Moreover, mothers should give too much time to their children for better care. There is a severe need for improvement of the higher education of females so that they can better utilize their education in caring for their children.