A case for rethinking the gender targeting of child cash transfers in Brazil and South Africa

Assessing caregiver sex in determining stunting in child beneficiaries

Bibliographic Data

ID9971832
AuthorsZoheb Khan (0000-0002-5820-401X, Brazilian Center of Analysis and Planning (CEBRAP) São Paulo Brazil, corresponding author), Leila Patel (0000-0003-2499-820X, Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) University of Johannesburg South Africa)
Year2024
Volume77
Issue4
Pages49-77
Publication date2024-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Social Security Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-871X • E-ISSN: 1468-246X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/issr.12372
OpenAlexW4405010827
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited33

Little is known about the effects of the receipt of child‐centred cash transfers by men. This article tests whether caregiver sex matters in determining stunting (low height for age) in child beneficiaries of Brazil's Bolsa Família and South Africa's Child Support Grant using household survey data. Overall, we find that caregivers’ socioeconomic and education status are more influential alongside the region of residence. However, among households at intermediate levels of poverty, female recipients are significantly less likely to have stunted children. Improving the complementary service environment while encouraging more men to apply for benefits and to assume caregiving responsibilities could be a transformative, gender‐sensitive policy intervention

Cash · Cash transfers · Demographic economics · Economics · Political science · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Energy and Environment Impacts · Finance · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology

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