Econometrica

Journal Of The Econometric Society

An International Society for the Advancement of Economic
Theory in its Relation to Statistics and Mathematics

Edited by: Guido W. Imbens • Print ISSN: 0012-9682 • Online ISSN: 1468-0262

Econometrica: Jul, 2022, Volume 90, Issue 4

Making a Narco: Childhood Exposure to Illegal Labor Markets and Criminal Life Paths

https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA17082
p. 1835-1878

Maria Micaela Sviatschi

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.


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Supplemental Material

Supplement to "Making a Narco: Childhood Exposure to Illegal Labor Markets and Criminal Life Paths

Maria Micaela Sviatschi

This zip file contains the replication files for the manuscript.

Supplement to "Making a Narco: Childhood Exposure to Illegal Labor Markets and Criminal Life Paths"

Maria Micaela Sviatschi

This online appendix contains material not found within the manuscript.