Making a NARCO: Childhood Exposure to Illegal Labor Markets and Criminal Life Paths
中文摘要
本文提供的证据表明，童年时期接触非法劳动力市场会促使儿童在早期形成行业特定的人力资本，使其走上犯罪人生轨迹。利用美国禁毒政策实施的时间节点，我表明，当秘鲁适宜种植古柯的地区从事非法活动的回报上升时，父母会更多地使用童工种植古柯，从而使儿童走上犯罪人生轨迹。利用行政记录，我表明，受影响的儿童成年后因暴力犯罪和毒品相关犯罪而被监禁的可能性高出约30%。对于成长期间在所产古柯主要流向合法部门的地方劳动的个体，未发现其犯罪行为受到影响，这表明，正是非法行业特定人力资本的积累助长了犯罪生涯。然而，一项鼓励儿童就学的有条件现金转移支付项目的推广实施缓解了接触非法行业所产生的影响，为上述作用机制提供了进一步证据。
Abstract
This paper provides evidence that exposure to illegal labor markets during childhood leads to the formation of industry‐specific human capital at an early age, putting children on a criminal life path. Using the timing of U.S. antidrug policies, I show that when the return to illegal activities increases in coca suitable areas in Peru, parents increase the use of child labor for coca farming, putting children on a criminal life path. Using administrative records, I show that affected children are about 30% more likely to be incarcerated for violent and drug‐related crimes as adults. No effect in criminality is found for individuals that grow up working in places where the coca produced goes primarily to the legal sector, suggesting that it is the accumulation of human capital specific to the illegal industry that fosters criminal careers. However, the rollout of a conditional cash transfer program that encourages schooling mitigates the effects of exposure to illegal industries, providing further evidence on the mechanisms.