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Abstract
The simple neo-classical household model presents a major problem - the cooperative
unique household utility function might not always be appropriate. More specifically, women's and men's
utility functions might be different. To accomodate the problem, this paper explores the possibility of an
enlarged household model. This model also includes two other elements that have recently received major
attention, credit and seasonality. The analysis of data from southern Mali indicates that, in contrast to the
family's total income, the family's assets and women's income have a positive effect on the nutritional
status of pre-school children in the pre-harvest season. The relationship does not hold in the period after the
harvest. This indicates that the women's utility function differs from that of the family as a whole, and that
the seasonality of the income is very important.