Human Capital Investments in Children – A Comparative Analysis of the Role of Parent-Child Shared Time in Selected Countries

Eva Österbacka, Joachim Merz, Cathleen Zick

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    Abstract

    In this paper, we test the hypothesis of parent-child time as a form of human capital investment in children using a propensity score treatment effects approach that accounts for the possible endogenous nature of time use and human capital investment. We broaden the human capital investment notion and focus on shared time in eating, housework, leisure, and TV/video time. Furthermore, we investigate the extent to which the levels and composition of parent-child time varies across three countries: Finland, Germany, and the United States (as social democratic, conservative and liberal welfare regime). Our results reveal some cross-national differences in human capital investment and they provide mixed support for the hypothesis that non-care related parent-child time is human capital enriching. But our results also provide similarities across countries, indicating that family core functions may be common irrespective of welfare regimes.
    Original languageUndefined/Unknown
    Pages (from-to)120–143
    JournalElectronic International Journal of Time Use Research
    Volume9
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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