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The Long Run Impact of Childhood Interracial Contact on Residential Segregation

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  • Merlino, Luca Paolo

    (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

  • Steinhardt, Max F.

    (Free University of Berlin)

  • Wren-Lewis, Liam

    (Paris School of Economics)

Abstract

This paper exploits quasi-random variation in the share of Black students across cohorts within US schools to investigate whether interracial contact in childhood impacts the residential choices of Whites in adulthood. We find that, 20 years after exposure, Whites who had more Black peers of the same gender in their grade go on to live in census tracts with more Black residents. Further investigation suggests that this result is unlikely to be driven by economic opportunities or social networks. Instead, the effect on residential choice appears to come from a change in preferences among Whites.

Suggested Citation

  • Merlino, Luca Paolo & Steinhardt, Max F. & Wren-Lewis, Liam, 2022. "The Long Run Impact of Childhood Interracial Contact on Residential Segregation," IZA Discussion Papers 15538, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15538
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    Cited by:

    1. Adamopoulou, Effrosyni & Kaya, Ezgi, 2024. "Beautiful inside and out: Peer characteristics and academic performance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 507-532.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    residential segregation; social contact; race;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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