We pursue an economic approach to analysing poverty. This requires a focus onthe variables that individuals can influence, such as forming or dissolving aunion or having children. We argue that this indirect approach to modellingpoverty is the right way to bring economic tools to bear on the...

We exploit a universe dataset of state school students in England with linkedtest score records to document the evolution of attainment through school fordifferent ethnic groups. The analysis yields a number of striking findings. First,we show that, controlling for personal characteristics, all...

There is emerging evidence to suggest that initial differentials between thehealth of poor and more affluent children in the UK do not widen over earlychildhood. One reason may be that through the universal public funded healthcare system all children have access to equally effective primary...

We provide evidence on the extent of ethnic segregation experienced bychildren across secondary schools and neighbourhoods (wards). Using 2001Schools Census and Population Census data we employ the indices ofdissimilarity and isolation and compare patterns of segregation across nineethnic...

There is a growing literature that shows that higher family income is associatedwith better health for children. Wealthier parents may have more advantagedchildren because they have more income to buy health care or because parentalwealth is associated with beneficial behaviours or because...

The paper investigates the relationship between work and family life in Britain.Using appropriate statistical techniques we estimate a five-equation model,which includes birth events, union formation, union dissolution, employmentand non-employment events. The model allows for unobserved...

We document ethnic segregation in secondary schools in England in 2001 inorder to contribute to the debate on the degree of ethnic group social integration.We use indices of dissimilarity and isolation to compare the patterns ofsegregation across nine ethnic groups. We find that levels of ethnic...

Truancy is often seen as irrational behaviour on the part of school ageyouth. This paper takes the opposite view and models truancy as thesolution to a time allocation problem in which youths derive currentreturns from activities that reduce time spent at school. The model isestimated using a US...