Family-type public goods and intra-household decision-making by co-resident South African couples

摘要

The current study examines sources of bargaining power that inform financial decision-making processes within co-resident couples and determines how bargaining power and decision-making impact on family-type public goods expenditure. The study uses South Africa's National Income Dynamics Study, which offers a direct measure of financial decision-making responsibility. In terms of analysis, probit regression models are used to establish socioeconomic determinants of decision-making for female partners in co-resident couples, while ordinary least squares linear regression models are employed to determine the extent to which financial decision-making responsibility and power influence expenditure on family-type public goods by households. There is evidence of the relevance of economic factors in explaining financial decision-making as postulated by the resource theory. Households with wives who gain a decision-making role spend more on family-type public goods. The findings suggest that policy has to focus on gender mainstreaming and empowerment, which would enhance the decision-making role of women within co-resident couples.