Is Ignorance Bliss? The Effect of Asymmetric Information between Spouses on Intra-household Allocations

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2013
Volume: 103
Issue: 3
Pages: 263-68

Authors (2)

Carolina Castilla Thomas Walker (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

4.036 = (α=2.02 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We conducted a field experiment in Southern Ghana to test the effect of asymmetric information on intrahousehold allocation. A lottery was conducted, where prizes were distributed in public and in private. The results indicate that asymmetric information over windfalls has a differential effect on observable and concealable expenses, consistent with hiding. Husbands' public windfalls increase investment in assets and social capital, while there is no such effect when wives win. Private windfalls of both spouses are committed to cash (wives) or in-kind gifts (husband) which are either difficult to monitor or to reverse if discovered by the other spouse.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:103:y:2013:i:3:p:263-68
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25