Mother's Employment and Infant and Child Mortality in India

Abstract

Despite its many advantages, the employment of women in economic activity in India has been associated with increased mortality for infants and young children. Simultaneously, narrower gender differentials in child mortality among employed women have been noted. This report examines whether these conclusions are upheld at the level of the typical Indian mother.

Using data from the 1992- 93 National Family Health Survey, the effect on child survival of mother's employment status is evaluated for all children. Separate analyses of male and female survival evaluate the gender- differentiated impact of mother's employment. The effect of employment is also evaluated separately by whether employment is at home, outside the home without cash earnings, or outside the home with cash earnings.