Gender targeting of unconditional income transfers and child nutritional status: Experimental evidence from the Bolivian Amazon

摘要: Observational studies suggest that women’s income benefits children’s health and nutritional status, as well education, more than men’s income, apparently because women are likely to shift marginal resources their children. These have influenced policies such conditional cash transfers, which typically target women. However, previous been unable control for unobserved heterogeneity in child endowments parental preferences. We report the results of a trial allocated randomly one-time inkind form edible rice (the main staple crop study area) or seeds female male household head (edible range: 30-395 kg/household; seeds: 5.9 kg/ household). The took place society native Amazonian forager-farmers Bolivia (2008-2009). Outcomes included four anthropometric indicators short-run status 848 children from 40 villages. found transfers produced no discernible impact on (~5 months) children, any differential effects between girls boys by gender who received transfers. null probably relate specific social norms Tsimane’, pooling food resources, shared preferences, relatively equal bargaining power Tsimane’ men. highlight probable importance culture resource allocation targeting transfer programs might not increase investments societies where men egalitarian relationships