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Intergenerational transmission of risk attitudes in Burkina Faso

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  • Mohammad H. Sepahvand

    (Uppsala University)

  • Roujman Shahbazian

    (University of Munich (LMU)
    Stockholm University)

Abstract

Previous research shows that transmission of attitudes in the family is gendered. However, there are limited findings about intergenerational transmission of risk attitudes and whether it is gendered. This study replicates the findings by Dohmen et al. (Rev Econ Stud 79(2):645–677) for Germany by using quantitative data from Burkina Faso in 2014 to analyze three different self-reported risk questions. Our results show a strong intergenerational transmission of attitudes from parents to children in which positive assortative mating strengthens the parents’ transmission of attitudes to her child. Mothers’ transmissions are stronger for their daughters than sons. For fathers, the pattern is inverted. Our findings also show the existence of heterogeneity in intergenerational transmission within a male- and female-dominated risk domain. This supports the gender-specific role model hypothesis. Furthermore, we find support for the transmission of attitudes from the local environment to the child, but the strength and significance of this transmission decrease when controlling for parents’ attitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad H. Sepahvand & Roujman Shahbazian, 2021. "Intergenerational transmission of risk attitudes in Burkina Faso," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 61(1), pages 503-527, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:61:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s00181-020-01857-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-020-01857-9
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Risk attitudes; Intergenerational transmission; Socialization; Gender; Burkina Faso;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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