Stephanie Psaki|Erica Soler?Hampejsek|Jyotirmoy Saha|Barbara Mensch|Sajeda Amin
The Effects of Adolescent Childbearing on Literacy and Numeracy in Bangladesh, Malawi, and Zambia
Population Council|Population Council|Population Council
abstract global investments girls education motivated part expectation moreeducated women smaller healthier families however many low middleincome countries timing school dropout first birth coincide resulting rapid transition role student role mother adolescent girls despite growing interest effects pregnancy levels school dropout researchers largely overlooked potential effect adolescent childbearing literacy numeracy hypothesize becoming mother soon leaving school may cause deterioration skills gained school using longitudinal data bangladesh malawi zambia test hypothesis estimating fixedeffects linear regression models address endogeneity relationship childbearing academic skills knowledge first study examine effects adolescent childbearing academic skills low middleincome countries results indicate among low levels grade attainment first birth negative effect english literacy numeracy among higher levels grade attainment find little evidence effects childbearing academic skills childbearing also little effect local language literacy beyond immediate loss english literacy numeracy skills lead better health economic productivity adolescent childbearing may longerterm repercussions previously understood addition ongoing efforts increase educational attainment school quality low middleincome countries investments needed strengthen academic skills adolescent mothers secure demographic economic promise expanded education girls women