Inequality in Child Academic Achievement in Single Parent Households: Evidence from Brazil

Abstract

In this paper we compare the intra-household dispersion of children's education achievement in single female-parent households with two-parent households. We find significantly more dispersion across children in households' headed by females after controlling for household per-capita permanent income and other anticipated correlates. These results are robust and suggest that single-female parents are forced to alter the distribution as well as the level of household investment in children. Our empirical analysis is preceded by development of a theoretical model that suggests the correlation between the intra-household dispersion of academic achievement and single-parenthood may be general; i.e., not specific to Brazil. These results may have important policy implications for the interventions and incentives that target single parent households.