Parental investment and the economization of parenting

Bibliographic Data

ID2181978
AuthorsMichelle Spiegel (0000-0001-6484-9714, Stanford University, corresponding author), Yana A Kuchirko (0000-0001-8138-7224, City University of New York), N Bandelj (0000-0002-7103-7252, University of California, Irvine)
Year2024
Volume17
Issue5
Pages548-566
Publication date2024-09-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Cultural Economy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1753-0350 • E-ISSN: 1753-0369
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17530350.2024.2349601
OpenAlexW4401279960
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited69

We argue that economists, as well as other social scientists, have increasingly focused on parenting as a means of building children’s human capital and reducing poverty. This is reflected, in part, in the use of the concept of ‘parental investment’ to study parenting, which has gained prominence over the past thirty years. This intellectual program is also evident in interventions targeting low-income parents to change parenting behavior to reflect the ‘parental investment’ model. Our study first documents the rise of the use of ‘parental investment’ in economics, psychology, and sociology, using a SCOPUS-generated corpus of academic documents. Through a critical analysis of two highly influential articles, we uncover the key assumptions of the economic approach to the study of parenting. We then show how this approach informs parenting programs that directly affect parenting behavior. Finally, we offer preliminary reflections on the consequences of the economization of parenting

Economics · Labour economics · Parental investment · Parental leave · Political science · Politics · Pregnancy · Sociology · Engineering · Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics · Parental Involvement in Education · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics