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Gender Gap in Education as a Portable Cultural Element: Evidence from First and Second Generation Immigrants

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  • tavassoli, nahid
  • noghani, farzaneh
  • noghanibehambari, hamid

Abstract

This paper illustrates the intergenerational transmission of the gender gap in education among first and second-generation immigrants. Using the Current Population Survey (1994-2018), we find that the difference in female-male education persists from the home country to the new environment. A one standard deviation increase of the ancestral country’s female-male difference in schooling is associated with 17.2% and 2.5% of a standard deviation increase in the gender gap among first and second generations, respectively. Since gender perspective in education uncovers a new channel for cultural transmission among families, we interpret the findings as evidence of cultural persistence among first generations and partial cultural assimilation of second generations. Moreover, Disaggregation into country-groups reveals different paths for this transmission: descendants of immigrants of lower-income countries show fewer attachments to the gender opinions of their home country. Average local education of natives can facilitate the acculturation process. Immigrants residing in states with higher education reveal a lower tendency to follow their home country attitudes regarding the gender gap.

Suggested Citation

  • tavassoli, nahid & noghani, farzaneh & noghanibehambari, hamid, 2022. "Gender Gap in Education as a Portable Cultural Element: Evidence from First and Second Generation Immigrants," MPRA Paper 113514, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:113514
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender Gap; Immigration; Human Capital; Education; Assimilation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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