Intra-Household Bargaining in Poor Countries

Abstract

This paper is intended to bridge the theoretical literature describing efficient intrahousehold behaviour and the development literature that collects empirical regularities pointing toward the existence of strategic decision-making among spouses. It examines the key elements of the collective model and discusses its relevance to analysing intra-household behaviour in poor countries. It explores the role that risk and uncertainty, information asymmetries, power imbalances, arranged marriages, strategic investment, gender norms, and extended households play in the attainment of efficiency.

Polygyny and intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from 16 cross-sectional demographic and health surveys

“…In SSA, Bove and Valeggia (2009) found less spousal communication and weaker emotional ties in polygamous marriages, compared to monogamous marriages and this can induce IPV. It has also been established that IPV is more likely to occur in polygamous marriages due to low cooperation between spouses attributed to competition amongst co-wives and increased problems with coordination, information, and monitoring ( Baland & Ziparo, 2017 ; Rossi, 2019 ). The finding that women in monogamous marriages are more likely to experience IPV in Nigeria contradicts the findings of a previous study conducted in Nigeria by Ashimi and Amole (2015) .…”

Can the Covid19 pandemic affect the achievement of the ‘Zero Hunger’ goal? Some preliminary reflections

“…Since many years scholars have provided extensive evidence on the determinants of food security at the micro level (see, for example, [ 4 , 6 – 9 , 12 , 36 ]). From a macro perspective, instead, most literature focuses on child malnutrition rather than on the overall level of food security (see [ 48 ], for a review).…”

“…On the one hand, trade restrictions (such as tariffs and export bans), along with the restraining measures on the national and international movements of people, are causing a decrease in food availability and access [24,28,29,45,81], and affecting food security, especially in countries most vulnerable to cereal supply shocks [72]. 4 The disruptions of global chains are also limiting access to essential inputs and fertilizers, while travel restrictions have Fig. 1 Prevalence of undernourishment (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017) caused labor shortages, with fields that remain unplanted and unharvested, and a consequent decline in agricultural productivity [52,63].…”

Do Households Prioritise Children? Intra-Household Deprivation a Case Study of the South Pacific

“…Changes in the relative position between spouses e.g. an increase in the relative income of one spouse, alter the pattern of household expenditures (Baland and Ziparo, 2017). The balance of power between men and women indirectly affects children.…”