Arulampalam, Wiji and Bhalotra, Sonia (2008) The linked survival prospects of siblings : evidence for the Indian states. Population Studies, Vol.62 (No.2). pp. 171-190. doi:10.1080/00324720802000176

Preview

PDF WRAP_Arulampalam_http_pdfserve_informaworld_com_Pdf_AddCoversheet_xm_mnt_pdfserve_pdfserve_984499_751308121_794525784.pdf - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (197Kb)

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

This paper reports an analysis of micro-data for India that shows a high correlation in infant mortality
among siblings. In 13 of 15 states, we identify a causal effect of infant death on the risk of infant death of the
subsequent sibling (a scarring effect), after controlling for mother-level heterogeneity. The scarring effects
are large, the only other covariate with a similarly large effect being mother’s (secondary or higher)
education. The two states in which evidence of scarring is weak are Punjab, the richest, and Kerala, the
socially most progressive. The size of the scarring effect depends upon the sex of the previous child in three
states, in a direction consistent with son-preference. Evidence of scarring implies that policies targeted at
reducing infant mortality will have social multiplier effects by helping avoid the death of subsequent
siblings. Comparison of other covariate effects across the states offers some interesting new insights.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Infants -- Mortality -- India, Brothers and sisters -- India
Journal or Publication Title:	Population Studies
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
ISSN:	0032-4728
Official Date:	July 2008
Dates:	Date Event July 2008 UNSPECIFIED
Volume:	Vol.62
Number:	No.2
Page Range:	pp. 171-190
DOI:	10.1080/00324720802000176
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Description:	Final version (published as open access).

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads