Pricing the priceless child: Measuring the benefit of saving children’s lives

Zelizer (1985) explored the changing economic value of children in the context of their perceived and evolving economic contribution to society. Her work generated considerable discussion about social investment, but little discussion thereafter. In associated academic fields (e.g. epidemiology and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:New Zealand sociology 2016-01, Vol.31 (5), p.73-87
Main Authors: Chambers, Julie, Campbell, Maxine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Attitudes
Child welfare
Children
Children & youth
Compulsory education
Cost effectiveness
Debates
Decision making
Economic aspects
Government policy
Health and hygiene
Investments
Prevention
Public policy
Safety measures
Social aspects
Social values
Society
Wounds and injuries
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Summary:Zelizer (1985) explored the changing economic value of children in the context of their perceived and evolving economic contribution to society. Her work generated considerable discussion about social investment, but little discussion thereafter. In associated academic fields (e.g. epidemiology and economics), there has been a great deal of work on measuring the value of an adult’s life and estimation of the quality of adult life, against cost. Governments apply the well-established Value of Statistical Life (VoSL) formula and other strategies for determining expenditure on life-saving measures such as roading projects, pharmaceutical expenditure and healthcare. Yet there is notable academic and societal ambivalence towards exploring the value of children. This presentation will present Zelizer’s arguments, the evolution of measurements of cost/benefit estimations against human lives and provide a policy example of cost of life estimations involving children, arguing that children constitute a special case for improved policy strategies.
ISSN:0112-921X
1173-1036
1173-1036