Structural Transformation and Gendered Transitions to Adulthood among Rural Youth

Cross-National Evidence from Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Bibliographic Data

ID20302418
AuthorsJ Heckert (0000-0002-3022-8298, International Food Policy Research Institute, corresponding author), Audrey Pereira (0000-0001-7982-7454, International Food Policy Research Institute), Cheryl R Do (0000-0001-8292-3295, Oxford Department of International Development, Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford, UK), Emily Myers (0000-0003-2615-7770, International Food Policy Research Institute), Emily C Myers (International Food Policy Research Institute), Agnes Quisumbing (0000-0002-5429-1857, International Food Policy Research Institute)
Year2021
Volume57
Issue4
Pages614-634
Publication date2021-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Development Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-0388 • E-ISSN: 1743-9140
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00220388.2020.1808196
OpenAlexW3085682993
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited21

Using frameworks on gendered transitions to adulthood, we analyse nationally-representative, sex-disaggregated data from 36 countries to examine how structural transformation (share of GDP from non-agriculture) and rural transformation (agricultural value added per worker) are associated with landownership, labour force participation, and sector of employment for rural young women and men. Transformation has different implications for young men’s and women’s transition to adulthood. Higher levels of structural transformation are associated with a higher likelihood of landownership for young men, but not young women. Structural transformation is associated with lower employment of young rural men and women alike but is positively associated with on-farm employment of young women. Rural transformation is associated with a higher probability of employment for young rural men, but not women. Instead, rural transformation is negatively associated with young women’s on-farm work and positively associated with not being in education, employment, or training. Whereas domestic responsibilities affect young women’s livelihoods more than young men’s, recognising the importance of both productive and reproductive roles in young women’s and men’s lives is needed to support the transition to adulthood at different levels of structural and rural transformation

Agriculture · Demographic economics · Developmental psychology · Economics · Geography · Livelihood · Political science · Rural area · Work (physics) · Young adult · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Psychology · Rural development and sustainability · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics

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