Gender Differences in Italian Children's Capabilities

This paper analyzes children's well-being using the capability approach, with a special focus on gender differences. The two areas analyzed are the capability of senses, imagination, and thought; and the capability of play. Using data from the 2008 Multipurpose Survey on Daily Life released by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Feminist economics 2014-04, Vol.20 (2), p.90-121
Main Authors: Addabbo, Tindara, Di Tommaso, Maria Laura, Maccagnan, Anna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic Achievement
Capability approach
Children
Children & youth
Difference
Economic models
Education
Education policy
Educational Attainment
Everyday Life
Gender
Gender differences
Gender differentiation
Imagination
Italy
Level of education
Parents
Sex
Sex Differences
structural equation models
Studies
Well Being
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Summary:This paper analyzes children's well-being using the capability approach, with a special focus on gender differences. The two areas analyzed are the capability of senses, imagination, and thought; and the capability of play. Using data from the 2008 Multipurpose Survey on Daily Life released by the Italian National Institute of Statistics, a structural equation model is estimated in which the capabilities are defined as latent variables that are intrinsically interrelated. For each capability, a set of indicators of functionings is utilized and the effects of individual and social conversion factors - including parents' unpaid work, their level of education, and employment status - are analyzed. The model is applied to Italian girls and boys ages 6-10 in 2008. The analysis confirms that the two capabilities are interrelated. Policies aimed at improving children's achievements in education also improve the capability of play and vice versa. Differences by gender occur in the factors' effects.
ISSN:1354-5701
1466-4372
DOI:10.1080/13545701.2013.844846