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Do Grandparents Matter? Multigenerational Mobility in the United States, 1940–2015

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  • Joseph Ferrie
  • Catherine Massey
  • Jonathan Rothbaum

Abstract

We assess the biases induced by measurement error in a study of correlations in educational attainment across two and three generations in the United States using linked data spanning 1940–2015. Although multigenerational regressions show an economically meaningful “grandparent effect,” we find that this effect is overstated and likely not statistically or economically significant after we correct for measurement error. However, that same measurement error means that inferences derived using only two generations of data understate persistence in educational attainment by roughly 20%. We find an 18% decline in the intergenerational correlation of educational attainment over the twentieth century.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Ferrie & Catherine Massey & Jonathan Rothbaum, 2021. "Do Grandparents Matter? Multigenerational Mobility in the United States, 1940–2015," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 39(3), pages 597-637.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/711038
    DOI: 10.1086/711038
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    Cited by:

    1. Monica Harber Carney, 2024. "Trade-offs in intergenerational family care provision," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 563-593, June.
    2. Marie Connolly & Catherine Haeck, 2024. "Intergenerational income mobility trends in Canada," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 57(1), pages 5-26, February.
    3. Pablo Celhay & Sebastian Gallegos, 2023. "Educational Mobility Across Three Generations in Latin American Countries," Working Papers 2023-013, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    4. Wang, Sophie Xuefei & Bansak, Cynthia, 2024. "Are grandparents a good substitute for parents as the primary caregiver? The impact of grandparents on Children's academic performance," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Jim Been & Anne C. Gielen & Marike Knoef & Gloria Moroni, 2022. "Prolonged worklife among grandfathers: Spillover effects on grandchildren's educational outcomes," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 22-033/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    6. Celhay, Pablo & Gallegos, Sebastian, 2024. "Schooling Mobility across Three Generations in Six Latin American Countries," IZA Discussion Papers 17072, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Hwang, Sam Il Myoung & Squires, Munir, 2024. "Linked samples and measurement error in historical US census data," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).

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