QUASI-MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATION OF MULTIVARIATE PROBIT MODELS - FARM COUPLES LABOR PARTICIPATION

Joint estimation of farmers' farm and off-farm work participation requ ires a multivariate probit model, in which the number of equations is twice the number of household members. Where there are more than two s uch equations, I suggest a quasi maximum likelihood method which requi res only two levels of numerical integration. The method maximizes the use of sample information given this numerical feasibility condition. It is used for estimating a joint participation model of farm couples ' farm and off-farm work. The model yields conclusions about comparati ve advantages of men and women in farm, off-farm, and housework, which cannot be obtained with a more limited setup.