Can Policy Change Culture? Government Pension Plans and Traditional Kinship Practices

American Economic Review • Vol/Iss. 111(6) • American Economic Association • Nashville • Published In • Pages: 1880-1917 •
By Bau, Natalie

Abstract

In this paper, the author examines the effects of recent pension policies in Indonesia and Ghana on the practice of matri- or patrilocality. She also explores the relationships between these policies, marital residence, education, and elderly support. Her findings show that both matri/patrilocality and the investment parents make in their children have declined since the implementation of the pension plans.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Other researchers
Ethnologue: Languages of the WorldOther researchers
2010 Indonesian CensusResearcher's own
2000 Ghanaian CensusResearcher's own
Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS)Researcher's own

Hypotheses (6)

HypothesisSupported
Education rates will be higher for daughters relative to sons in matrilocal societies, and will be higher for sons relative to daughters in patrilocal societies.Mostly supported
The introduction of pension plans will reduce traditional marital residence practices.Partially supported
The introduction of pension plans will reduce the higher relative education for females or males associated with matrilocality or patrilocality, respectively.Supported
The effects of offering pension plans on educational enrollment will be non-linear.Support claimed
Parents will be more likely to transmit cultural norms of marital residence to educated children.Partially supported
The reduced practice of matrilocality will reduce the practice of elderly support.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: anj.droe