Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/249202 
Year of Publication: 
2022
Series/Report no.: 
GLO Discussion Paper No. 1029
Publisher: 
Global Labor Organization (GLO), Essen
Abstract: 
Using over 50 thousand time-use diaries from two cohorts of children, we document significant gender differences in time allocation in the first 16 years in life. Relative to males, females spend more time on personal care, chores and educational activities and less time on physical and media related activities. These gender gaps in time allocation appear at very young ages and widen overtime. We provide novel evidence that gender differentials in time investment are quantitatively important in explaining a female advantage in most cognitive and non-cognitive skills. Moreover, gender disparity in educational time outside of school is the most important factor contributing to gender test score gaps and its contribution is more pronounced for higher performing students. By contrast, gender differences in media time are the main factor explaining gender gaps in non-cognitive skills. As children age, gender differences in time allocation play an increasing role in explaining gender gaps in both cognitive and non-cognitive skills.
Subjects: 
Time Allocation
Time Use Diary
Gender Gap
Human Capital
Child Development
JEL: 
I24
J13
J16
J22
J24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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