Understanding how resources are allocated within households

However, a growing body of literature is questioning this view, pointing out that the costs and benefits of different policies are borne disproportionately according to their gender, age, and relationship to the household head. More important perhaps, it is argued that the very success of development policy is likely to be undermined by a failure to view the household and family in a holistic manner. This collection of briefs further develops this theme, addressing four main questions: (1) how do measured levels of household welfare correspond to the measured levels and patterns of individual welfare; (2) if welfare and access to resources are unevenly distributed within households, are there significant policy implications; (3) if so, how important is it to understand the processes that influence distribution of resources; and (4) what disciplines and methods can best be used to examine intrahousehold processes and influences. The papers document numerous examples of costly, unintended policy effects due to the neglect of intrahousehold processes. Often these effects -- particularly in the spheres of economics, health and nutrition, and education -- work to the detriment of women and children in the household, (Author abstract, modified)