Effects of Family Nucleation on Child Learning Outcomes in Ghana

Abstract

The connection between family nucleation and child learning outcomes in Ghana is a significant area of study. The family serves as the foundation for all Ghanaian social structures and plays a crucial role in caring for young individuals. When examining child-related matters such as education, cognitive abilities, and socio-emotional patterns, it is essential to consider the family context. This research investigates the impact of family nucleation on children‘s learning outcomes. To conduct this study, researchers utilized data from the seventh waves of the Ghana Living Standard Survey (GLSS), specifically focusing on the household roster recode. To address potential self-selection bias related to family nucleation, they employed both the Two-Stage Least Square (TSLS) and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) methods. These approaches allow for the control of observable and unobservable heterogeneity. The study findings confirm a connection between family nucleation and child learning outcomes. However, the magnitude of this impact varies based on the child‘s gender. Additionally, the research highlights that household spending on child education serves as a mechanism through which family nucleation influences children‘s learning outcomes. This underscores the importance of considering family dynamics when addressing educational outcomes for young individuals.