Chapter 1 Origins and Consequences of Child-Labor Restrictions: A Macroeconomic Perspective

Abstract

We investigate the positive and normative consequences of child-labor restrictions for economic aggregates and welfare. We argue that even though the laissez-faire outcome may be inefficient, there are usually better policies to cure these inefficiencies than the imposition of a child-labor ban. Given this finding, we investigate the potential political-economic reasons behind the emergence and persistence of child-labor legislation. Our investigation is based on a structural dynamic general equilibrium model that provides a coherent and uniform framework for our analysis.

Citation

Doepke, M. and Krueger, D. (2008), "Chapter 1 Origins and Consequences of Child-Labor Restrictions: A Macroeconomic Perspective", Rupert, P. (Ed.) Frontiers of Family Economics (Frontiers of Family Economics, Vol. 1), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1574-0129(08)00001-X