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Why children of college graduates outperform their schoolmates : a study of cousins and adoptees

Salvanes, Kjell Gunnar; Hægeland, Torbjørn; Raaum, Oddbjørn; Kirkebøen, Lars Johannessen
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URI
http://hdl.handle.net/11250/163326
Date
2010-09
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  • Discussion papers (SAM) [608]
Abstract
There is massive cross-sectional evidence that children of more educated parents

outperform their schoolmates on tests, grade repetition and in educational attainment.

However, evidence for causal interpretation of this association is weak. Within a rich

census level data set for Norway, we examine the causal relationship using two

approaches for identification: cousins with twin parents and adopted children. In line

with most of the literature, we find no effect of mothers’ education on children’s

school performance using the children-of-twins approach. However, for adopted

children, mother’s education has a positive effect, but only a third of the size of the

effect found in biological relationships in adopting families. Carefully tracking the

work experience of parents during offspring childhood, we find no support for the

hypothesis that the small causal effects of parental education can be explained by

detrimental effects of higher labour force participation among more educated mothers.
Publisher
Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration. Department of Economics
Series
Discussion paper
2010:22

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