The Effects of Large-Scale Economic Change and Policies on Children's Developmental Contexts and Developmental Outcomes

Abstract- In the current era of rapid economic change in societies worldwide, it is vital to examine how large-scale societal changes might affect children's development. This article summarizes existing evidence on 3 types of large-scale economic change and policies that theory and empirical evidence suggest affect children's development: economic growth and downturns, changes in demand for worker skills, and employment policies and regulations. It also summarizes evidence regarding the community- and family-level mechanisms through which these effects may be conveyed, focusing where possible on empirical studies that can identify causality. It concludes with recommendations for future research.