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Are economic preferences shaped by the family context? The relation of birth order and siblings’ gender composition to economic preferences

Author

Listed:
  • Lena Detlefsen

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy)

  • Andreas Friedl

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy)

  • Katharina Lima Miranda

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy)

  • Ulrich Schmidt

    (University of Kiel
    University of Johannesburg)

  • Matthias Sutter

    (Max Planck Institute for Research On Collective Goods
    University of Innsbruck
    University of Cologne)

Abstract

The formation of economic preferences in childhood and adolescence has long-term consequences for life outcomes. We study in an experiment how both birth order and siblings’ gender composition are related to risk, time, and social preferences. We find that second-born children are typically less patient, more risk-tolerant, and more trusting. However, siblings’ gender composition interacts importantly with birth order effects. Second-born children are more risk-taking only with same-gender siblings. In mixed-gender environments, children seem to identify with the gender stereotype that boys are much more willing to take risks than girls, irrespective of birth order. For trust and trustworthiness, birth order effects are larger with mixed-gender siblings. Only for patience, siblings’ gender composition does not matter.

Suggested Citation

  • Lena Detlefsen & Andreas Friedl & Katharina Lima Miranda & Ulrich Schmidt & Matthias Sutter, 2024. "Are economic preferences shaped by the family context? The relation of birth order and siblings’ gender composition to economic preferences," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 69(1), pages 1-31, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jrisku:v:69:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s11166-024-09433-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11166-024-09433-7
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Birth order; Siblings’ gender composition; Economic preferences; Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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