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This book examines the facts concerning child labor in Latin America—how it varies over time; across countries; and in comparison to other areas of the world. The rich evidence presented in the book supports the view that the root causes of child labor can be identified, that child labor has identifiable costs that can last across generations, and that there are policy alternatives that can succeed in its eradication. This book aims to improve the understanding of root causes and consequences of persistent child labor and to contribute to the policy debate with the goal of enhancing the current and future welfare of all children in Latin America.
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Child Labor and Education in Latin America
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Child Labor and Education in Latin America An Economic Perspective Edited by Peter F. Orazem, Guilherme Sedlacek, and Zafiris Tzannatos
CHILD LABOR AND EDUCATION IN LATIN AMERICA: AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
Copyright © Peter F. Orazem, Guilherme Sedlacek, and Zafiris Tzannatos, 2009. All rights reserved. First published in 2009 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN® in the United States—a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN-13: 978–0–230–61459–8 ISBN-10: 0–230–61459–0 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Child labor and education in Latin America : an economic perspective / [edited by] Peter F. Orazem, Guilherme Sedlacek, Zafiris Tzannatos. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0–230–61459–0 1. Child labor—Latin America. 2. Education—Latin America. 3. School enrollment—Latin America. I. Orazem, Peter F. II. Sedlacek, Guilherme Luís, 1949– III. Tzannatos, Zafiris, 1953– HD6250.L292C45 2009 331.391098—dc22
2008034379
A catalogue record of the book is available from the British Library. Design by Newgen Imaging Systems (P) Ltd., Chennai, India. First edition: April 2009 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Printed in the United States of America.
To our parents who taught us the importance of hard work, a good education, and a supportive family Frank and Slava Orazem, in memoriam Guilherme and Ilka Sedlacek Evangelinos and Maria Tzannatos And to Matthew, Katie, Savitri, Gino, Antonia, and Mariam: may you live in a world free from the abusive forms of child labor, Your Dads
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Contents
List of Figures
ix
List of Tables
xi
Abstract
xv
Preface
xvii
Acronyms
xix
Part I: Introduction Introduction: Child Labor and Education in Latin America Peter F. Orazem, Guilherme Sedlacek, and Zafiris Tzannatos
3
Part II: Background 1. Changing Patterns of Child Labor around the World since 1950: The Roles of Income Growth, Parental Literacy, and Agriculture Victoria Gunnarsson, Peter F. Orazem, and Guilherme Sedlacek 2. Child Labor, Schooling, and Poverty in Latin America Guilherme Sedlacek, Suzanne Duryea, Nadeem Ilahi, and Masaru Sasaki
21 33
Part III: Behavioral Inferences 3. The Responses of Child Labor, School Enrollment, and Grade Repetition to the Loss of Parental Earnings in Brazil, 1982–1999 Marcelo Côrtes Neri, Emily Gustafsson-Wright, Guilherme Sedlacek, and Peter F. Orazem 4. Dynamics of Child Labor: Labor-Force Entry and Exit in Urban Br