EMPOWERING WOMEN: THE EFFECT OF SCHOOLING ON YOUNG WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF CONTRACEPTION
EMPOWERING WOMEN: THE EFFECT OF SCHOOLING ON YOUNG WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF CONTRACEPTION
Tuesday, June 24, 2014: 8:50 AM
Waite Phillips 102 (Waite Phillips Hall)
Large differences in fertility between women with high and low levels of education suggest that schooling
may have a direct impact on knowledge and use of contraception. We investigate this issue using information
on women in Mexico. In order to identify the causal effect of schooling, we exploit temporal and geographic
variation in the number of lower secondary schools built following the extension of compulsory education
in Mexico from 6th to 9th grade in 1993. We show that raising females' schooling beyond 6th grade
increases their knowledge of contraception during their reproductive years and increases their propensity
to use contraception at sexual debut. This indicates that the impact of schooling on women's wellbeing
extends beyond improved labor market outcomes and includes greater autonomy over their fertility.
may have a direct impact on knowledge and use of contraception. We investigate this issue using information
on women in Mexico. In order to identify the causal effect of schooling, we exploit temporal and geographic
variation in the number of lower secondary schools built following the extension of compulsory education
in Mexico from 6th to 9th grade in 1993. We show that raising females' schooling beyond 6th grade
increases their knowledge of contraception during their reproductive years and increases their propensity
to use contraception at sexual debut. This indicates that the impact of schooling on women's wellbeing
extends beyond improved labor market outcomes and includes greater autonomy over their fertility.