Peer-reviewed article
Unequal from the start? Children’s life histories and their employment outcomes in India
Fiona Carmichael, Christian; id_orcid 0000-0002-1665-2594 Darko, Nicholas V. Vasilakos ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5The study uses five waves of the Young Lives survey in India to follow children's life histories from childhood to age 22. It groups individuals into four clusters based on living conditions, health and exposure to family and economic shocks. It then examines how these clusters and gender relate to employment and earnings at age 22. The authors conclude that disadvantages and advantages build up across childhood and help explain later inequalities in work and pay.
Key points
- Four clusters of individuals with similar life histories were identified using sequence analysis.
- Accumulated advantages and disadvantages across childhood help explain inequalities in employment and earnings at age 22.
- Those with wealthier, healthier, more stable lives had higher earnings but were less likely to be employed.
- The poorest but most stable cluster was most likely to be employed, but among women this group earned the least.
- Among young men, earnings were lowest for those exposed to the most shocks.
Limitations
Only the abstract is available, so sample size, how outcomes were measured and the strength of the associations are not known. The analysis describes associations and the abstract does not show that the factors cause the outcomes.
Abstract
Five waves of the Young Lives Indian survey are analysed using sequence and regression analysis. Four clusters of individuals sharing similar life histories are identified,reflecting childhood and family circumstances measured by living conditions, health and exposure to family and economic shocks. Regression analysis examines how life histories and gender shape employment outcomes at age 22. The results show that accumulation of (dis)advantages across childhood helps explain inequalities in employment and earnings. Those who have led wealthier, healthier, more stable lives have higher earnings but are less likely to be employed. Those from the poorest but most stable cluster are the most likely to be employed, but among women, this group earns the least. For young men, earnings are lowest for those exposed to the most shocks. Policy to equalise employment opportunities in India should therefore aim to improve the living conditions, health and security of disadvantaged young children.