Non-Market Time and Household Well-Being

39 Pages Posted: 20 Jun 2005

See all articles by Christos Koulovatianos

Christos Koulovatianos

Department of Finance, University of Luxembourg

Carsten Schröder

Free University of Berlin (FUB) - Department of Business and Economics

Ulrich Schmidt

University of Kiel - Institute of Economics

Date Written: June 17, 2005

Abstract

A distinguishing feature among households is whether adult members work or not, since the employment status affects a household's available time for home activities. Using a survey method in two countries, Belgium and Germany, we provide household incomes that retain the level of well-being across different family types, distinguished by family size and employment status of adults. Our tests support that specialization in home production and childcare-time costs are important determinants of household well-being. Estimates of child costs relative to an adult are higher for households that are time-constrained (all adults in the household work), and also higher for poorer households.

Keywords: household production, child costs, childcare, survey method

JEL Classification: D13, J22, C42, D31, I31

Suggested Citation

Koulovatianos, Christos and Schröder, Carsten and Schmidt, Ulrich, Non-Market Time and Household Well-Being (June 17, 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=745884 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.745884

Christos Koulovatianos (Contact Author)

Department of Finance, University of Luxembourg ( email )

4 Rue Albert Borschette
Luxembourg, L-1246
Luxembourg

Carsten Schröder

Free University of Berlin (FUB) - Department of Business and Economics ( email )

Boltzmannstrasse 20
D-14195 Berlin, 14195
Germany
+49 030 838-52259 (Phone)
+49 030 838-52560 (Fax)

Ulrich Schmidt

University of Kiel - Institute of Economics ( email )

Olshausenstrasse 40
24098 Kiel, 24098
Germany