蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
Head Start Access: No Evidence of Changes to Lifetime Fertility
蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings
vol. 115,
May 2025
(pp. 108–13)
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of early childhood access to the Head Start program on long-term fertility outcomes. Using a difference-in-difference methodology, we exploit the staggered rollout of Head Start from 1966 to 1980 across US counties for women born between 1955 and 1975. Our analysis, based on extensive and intensive fertility measures, reveals no significant impact of Head Start access on either the likelihood of having children or the total number of children born before age 45. These findings contribute to the literature on the socioeconomic outcomes of War on Poverty programs, particularly regarding adult fertility choices.Citation
Kose, Esra, Siobhan O'Keefe, and Maria Rosales-Rueda. 2025. "Head Start Access: No Evidence of Changes to Lifetime Fertility." 蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings 115: 108–13. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251099Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H75 State and Local Government: Health; Education; Welfare; Public Pensions
- I28 Education: Government Policy
- I38 Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth