Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/59140 
Year of Publication: 
2011
Series/Report no.: 
Center Discussion Paper No. 996
Publisher: 
Yale University, Economic Growth Center, New Haven, CT
Abstract: 
Models of the agricultural household have traditionally relied on assumptions regarding the complementarity or substitutability of family labor inputs. We show how data on time allocations, health shocks and corresponding treatment choices can be used to test these assumptions. Data from Tanzania provide evidence that complementarities exist and can explain the pattern of labor supply adjustments across household members and productive activities following acute sickness. In particular, we find that sick and healthy household members both shift labor away from self-employment and into farming when the sick recover more quickly. Infra-marginal adjustments within farming activity types provide further evidence of farm-specific complementarities.
Subjects: 
intra-household allocation
health shocks
complementarity
JEL: 
I10
J22
J43
O12
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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