Effects of relative advantage on time use in farm families
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-1996
Abstract
An assumption of comparative advantage (CA) is that all members in efficient households specialize in market or household work. The CA for Oregon farm households was measured by differences between husbands and wives in wages and schooling for nonfarm work, and in farm decision-making responsibility and years lived on a farm for farm work. The spouse with the advantage is assumed to spend more time in that work sector and less time in household work than his (her) spouse. The hypothesis is supported for market work. For farm decision making, results are consistent with the hypothesis but not significant. Years lived on a farm is consistent for husbands, but wives who have the CA do significantly less farm work than wives of men who hold the CA. Experience may not be a good measure of CA, or perhaps farm work provides process satisfaction to farm men (and their wives) who work longer hours. © 1996 Human Sciences Press, Inc.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Journal of Family and Economic Issues
Volume
17
Issue
3-4
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Olson, Geraldine L., and Jing Jian Xiao. "Effects of relative advantage on time use in farm families." Journal of Family and Economic Issues 17, 3-4 (1996): 351-363. doi: 10.1007/BF02265025.