An Investigation of Iranian Children's Decision about Employment and Education

In this paper, the decision of the school children (10 – 18 years old) and child labor (10 – 14 years old) for their education and employment is investigated using Probit Approach through two decision equations. The relevant data was extracted from the Household Budget Statistics of urban society of Iran in 2011. The results, for both school children and child labor show that while boys with higher levels of education are more likely to continue their education, they are less motivated to apply for a job. Further, the boys whose level of education are relevant to their ages are more likely to continue their education; however, the boys who have not succeeded to study based on their ages are more interested to apply for a job. Both school children and child labor in families with higher education are more motivated to higher education than getting a job. Boys and girls whose mothers have a job are more willing to work than continuing their stuy. As a whole, boys are more likely to quit schoole and seek for a job. School children and child labor with illiterate parents or primary school level are more likely to seek a job rather than continuing their study.