When Do People Become Adults? The Uruguayan Case

Maximo Rossi, Universidad del Uruguay - Departamento de Economía (dECON)

Natalia Melgar, Universidad de La Amazonia

http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=maximo_rossi

Abstract

This paper explores the key experiences that Uruguayans consider relevant for becoming an adult in Uruguay. In particular, we assess the linkages between adulthood and income; labor market participation and marital status, among other transitions that have been found to be associated with the attainment of adulthood. With the aim of identifying attitudinal patterns, we use the 2008 International Social Survey Program in Uruguay and estimate ordered probit models to examine the importance individuals assign to a series of hypothetical transitions. We discover that gender, age, and educational level are viewed as critical determinants in the passage to adulthood. Moreover, we find that Uruguay may have a different constellation of beliefs pertaining to adult transitions than has been found in similar studies conducted in the United States.

Suggested Citation

Maximo Rossi and Natalia Melgar. "When Do People Become Adults? The Uruguayan Case" International Journal of Population Research / Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2012.Article ID 425325 (2012): 1-6.

Polarization and the Middle Class

Maximo Rossi, Universidad del Uruguay - Departamento de Economía (dECON)

Fernando Borraz, Universidad de la Republica
Nicolas Gonzalez, Universidad de Montevideo

 http://works.bepress.com/maximo_rossi/63

Abstract

There is an increasing literature that discusses how to measure the middle class. Some approaches are based on an arbitrary deÖnition such as income quartiles or the poverty line. Recently, Foster and Wolfson developed a methodology which lacks of arbitrariness that enables us to compare the middle class of two di§erent income distributions. We apply this new tool jointly with a complementary method ñrelative distribution approach- to household income data in 1994-2004 and 2004-2010, to analyze the evolution of the middle class and polarization in Uruguay. During the Örst period, which is characterized by an increasing income inequality, we Önd that the middle class declined and income polarization increased. In the second one, where the Uruguayan economy experienced a recovery from the downturn su§ered in 2002, we Önd that the middle class rose and polarization decreased. However, this last result is attenuated when we do not consider the household income imputation because of the new health system implemented in 2008.

Suggested Citation

Maximo Rossi, Fernando Borraz, and Nicolas Gonzalez. 2011. "Polarization and the Middle Class" dECON_Working papers
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/maximo_rossi/63

"Distributive Effects of Regional Trade A" by Maximo Rossi, et al.

"Distributive Effects of Regional Trade A" by Maximo Rossi, et al.

Permissiveness toward Illegal Actions in Uruguay: Has This Attitude Changed in Time?

Maximo Rossi, Universidad del Uruguay - Departamento de Economía (dECON)

Natalia Melgar, Universidad de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay

http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1066&context=maximo_rossi

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to assess the willingness to justify illegal actions (or permissiveness) in the case of Uruguayans. We introduce new factors within the analysis: whether this attitude has changed between 1996 and 2006. In line with previous findings, some sociodemographic variables (age, education, beliefs in God, and patriotism) reduce the probability of being permissive. We also add new elements to the discussion and present some particularities of the Uruguayan case: the role of political affiliation depends on the ideological ground of the elected political party, permissiveness has dramatically changed and it is much higher in 2006.

Suggested Citation

Maximo Rossi and Natalia Melgar. "Permissiveness toward Illegal Actions in Uruguay: Has This Attitude Changed in Time?" Economics Research International 2012.Article ID 846326 (2012).

A Cross-Country Analysis of the Risk Factors for Depression at the Micro and Macro Levels

Maximo Rossi, Universidad del Uruguay - Departamento de Economía (dECON)

Natalia Melgar, Universidad del Uruguay

http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1064&context=maximo_rossi

Abstract

Past research has provided evidence of the role of some personal characteristics (age, gender, religion) as risk factors for depression. However, few researchers have jointly examined the specific impact of each characteristic and whether country characteristics (economic performance and others environmental factors) change the probability of being depressed. In general, this is due to the use of single-country databases. The aim of this article is to extend previous findings by employing a much larger dataset and including the above-mentioned country effects. We estimate probit models with country effects (model I) and we also explore linkages between specific environmental factors and depression (model II includes variables such as per capita Gross Domestic Product and the GINI index). The dataset for this research comes from the 2007 GALLUP Public Opinion Poll that allows us to consider a large and widely heterogeneous set of micro-data. Findings indicate that depression is positively related to being a woman, adulthood, divorce, widowhood, unemployment, and low income. Moreover, we provide evidence of the significant association between economic performance and depression. Inequality raises the probability of being depressed, specially for those living in urban areas. Finally, we find that some population characteristics such as age distribution and religious affiliation facilitate depression.

Suggested Citation

Maximo Rossi and Natalia Melgar. "A Cross-Country Analysis of the Risk Factors for Depression at the Micro and Macro Levels" American Journal of Economics and Sociology 71.2 (2012): 354-376.

Assessment of the distributive impact of national trade reforms in Brazil

JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY on line first.on line first (2012).
http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1062&context=maximo_rossi

Fernando Borraz, Universidad de la Republica
Daniel Ferres, Universidad de Montevideo
Maximo Rossi, Universidad del Uruguay - Departamento de Economía (dECON)

Abstract

This paper quantifies the distributional and poverty effects of trade liberalization in Brazil using household survey data. We estimate the consumption and labor impact of Mercosur trade reform following the methodology suggested by Porto (J Int Econ 70:140–160, 2006) and Nicita (J Dev Econ 89(1):19–27, 2009). Results show that trade liberalization had a pro-poor effect in Brazil. This result is largely explained by two major observations: the fact that consumption good prices decreased after Brazil entered Mercosur and a close to zero labor income effect. We find that poverty decreased after national trade liberalization (both for women and men). Additionally, we obtained no significant inequality effects after national trade reforms.

Suggested Citation

Fernando Borraz, Daniel Ferres, and Maximo Rossi. "Assessment of the distributive impact of national trade reforms in Brazil" JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY on line first.on line first (2012).