Does work experience teach non-violent dispute resolution? : evidence from a job training program in Benin

Abstract

We estimate the effect of a national job training program for high school graduates in Benin on beliefs about the appropriateness and effectiveness of using violence to settle disputes. We find that the program caused a reduction in the belief that violence is acceptable. For males also we find a decrease in the belief that intimate partner violence is acceptable and an increase in the belief that non-violent dispute resolution techniques are effective. We also examine whether the treatment effect varies with respect to the level of violent crime within the participant’s community. We find that the treatment effect for beliefs regarding non-violent strategies and intimate partner violence was larger for males living in areas with a higher violent assault rate. Finally, we provide some evidence that those results cannot be explained by changes in economic variables.