CHILD LABOR AS “INSURANCE” UNDER OCCUPATION-LINKED INCOME SHOCKS: ESTIMATING THE HUMAN-CAPITAL DEBT IN PALESTINE
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Date
2026-05-12
Authors
Nabil Osama Nabil Bader
Sameh Hallaq
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Deanship of Scientific Research - Al-Quds University
Abstract
Child labor in the West Bank is frequently described by economists as being driven by poverty, culture, or family choice. However, this study approaches child labor as a household coping strategy in response to income shocks resulting from occupational instability. Children’s time can serve as an adaptive margin for short-term stabilization of household consumption when there is limited insurance against unemployment, restricted access to borrowing, and high uncertainty regarding adult employment.