Human Capital Investment and the Gender Division of Labor in a Brawn-Based Economy

57 Pages Posted: 9 Sep 2010

See all articles by Mark M. Pitt

Mark M. Pitt

Brown University

Mark R. Rosenzweig

Yale University - Economic Growth Center; Yale University - Cowles Foundation

Nazmul Hassan

University of Dhaka

Date Written: September 7, 2010

Abstract

We use a model of human capital investment and activity choice to explain facts describing gender differentials in the levels and returns to human capital investments. These include the higher return to and level of schooling, the small effect of healthiness on wages, and the large effect of healthiness on schooling for females relative to males. The model incorporates gender differences in the level and responsiveness of brawn to nutrition in a Roy-economy setting in which activities reward skill and brawn differentially. Empirical evidence from rural Bangladesh provides support for the model and the importance of the distribution of brawn.

Keywords: Brawn, health, schooling, gender

JEL Classification: O1, J1, J2

Suggested Citation

Pitt, Mark M. and Rosenzweig, Mark Richard and Hassan, Nazmul, Human Capital Investment and the Gender Division of Labor in a Brawn-Based Economy (September 7, 2010). Yale Economics Department Working Paper No. 83, Yale University Economic Growth Center Discussion Paper No. 989, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1673314 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1673314

Mark M. Pitt

Brown University ( email )

Box B
Providence, RI 02912
United States
401-863-2970 (Phone)
401-863-1970 (Fax)

Mark Richard Rosenzweig (Contact Author)

Yale University - Economic Growth Center ( email )

Box 208269
New Haven, CT 06520-8269
United States
203-432-3620 (Phone)

Yale University - Cowles Foundation

Box 208281
New Haven, CT 06520-8281
United States

Nazmul Hassan

University of Dhaka ( email )

University of Dhaka
Dhaka 1000
Ramna, Dhaka, Dhaka 1000
Bangladesh

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