Identifying Gender-Specific Risk Factors for Income Poverty across Poverty Levels in Urban Mexico: A Model-Based Boosting Approach

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The aim of the article was to identify factors that increase the risk of falling into poverty for households living in urban areas of Mexico. Particular attention was paid to factors relating to the gender of main family members.
The article has a clear structure, a clearly formulated research goal and is based on an extensive review of the literature on the subject. Additionally, the author(s) take into account 45 different variables describing the examined relationships, thanks to which the obtained conclusions are comprehensive and solidly based on research. The research methods used are adequate to the stated purpose.
Only disadvantage of the presented analyzes is the fact that they concern the years 2015 and 2016, so some of the described relationships may have become outdated. However, the article may be published in its current form.
An interesting aspect that the author(s) would consider for future analyzes would be to determine the extent to which access to digital services and the level of household competences in participating in the digital economy affects their level of poverty.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article "Identifying gender-specific risk factors for income poverty across poverty levels in urban Mexico: A model-based boosting approach" provides a solid analysis of the determinants of poverty in the context of urban households in Mexico. The authors attempt to delve into the issue of poverty, taking into account gender differences in household management, which constitutes a significant gap in research on this topic.

One of the main strengths of the article is its interdisciplinary nature, which allows for a multifaceted view of the problem of poverty. The analysis considers both economic and social factors, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of poverty dynamics in Mexican urban communities. Additionally, the authors employ advanced statistical methods, contributing to the reliability of the analysis.

However, the article could be enriched by referencing the works of other global poverty researchers, such as Wilson, van Praag, Kalinowski, Lister, Szarfenberg, Łuczak, Bradley, as well as figures like Jean Dreze, Amartya Sen, or Brian Nolan. Introducing a European perspective could broaden the view on the problem of poverty and provide valuable comparisons between the social and economic contexts of different regions of the world.

It is also worth noting that despite the careful analysis, the article does not deeply delve into the issue of the causes of poverty in Mexico, such as political issues or structural social inequalities. Moreover, there is a lack of discussion about potential political or social solutions that could contribute to poverty reduction in the studied communities.

In conclusion, the article represents a valuable contribution to research on poverty in the context of Mexican households. Despite certain limitations, this analysis provides valuable insights that may be useful for policymakers and social actors seeking to reduce poverty in Mexico. However, future research should consider the broader social and political context and compare results with research conducted in other regions to gain a fuller understanding of this complex issue.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf