Government Policy and Parenting (GP&P)

Project holder: 

Laudine Carbuccia (CRIS, LIEPP, Sciences Po)

Research team: 

Ariel Kalil (Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago) 

Kjell Salvasnes (Centre for Experimental Research on Fairness, Inequality and Rationality, Norwegian School of Economics)

Susan Mayer (Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago)

Michelle Park Michelini (Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago) 

Project description: 

The persistent gap in skill development between advantaged and disadvantaged children worldwide poses a significant challenge, hindering both economic growth and the principle of equal opportunity. Despite various policy efforts aimed at increasing skills and narrowing this gap, research indicates limited success, particularly in middle- and high-income countries. Recognizing the pivotal role of parental engagement in addressing this issue, this workshop will address the important role of culture in developing and implementing policies to increase parental engagement in child skill development. How does culture inform what policies are made? But also, how does culture affect the effectiveness of these policies, and what to do about it? Discussions will encompass the role of governments and philanthropy in leveraging parental engagement, as well as cultural heterogeneity and barriers to parental engagement. Aimed at policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, the workshop seeks to bring together insights from various disciplines and sectors to foster cross-sectoral collaboration to advance effective strategies for skill development and reduce disparities among children globally.