Parental Preference Over Child Education: Empirical Evidence from Two Indian States

Abstract

This paper tries to investigate educational preferences of parents over their child's education using survey data from two Indian States. Based on the natural ordering of the preferences, an ordered probit framework is being used. We also examine the presence of gender bias in preference pattern of parents. Our results document that in addition to educational and income status of parents' autonomy enjoyed by female in the family and dowry being exchanged at the time of parents' own marriage played an important role in parental decision-making process regarding their child's education. The old age security variable also exerts some influence in parental decision. Even after controlling for individual and household level characteristics, we are able to provide some evidence in favor of increased need of public facility like the presence of schools in the community.