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Intergenerational Transmission of Education and Mediating Channels: Evidence from Compulsory Schooling Reforms in Germany

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  • Marc Piopiunik

Abstract

This paper estimates the causal effect of an additional year of parents’ schooling on their children’s education, exploiting compulsory schooling reforms that were implemented in all West German states between 1946 and 1969. Although previous research indicates that these reforms had no effects on earnings or political behaviour, I find that an additional year of schooling women strongly affects their sons’ education. Based on several datasets, numerous channels that might mediate the positive impact of mothers’ education are investigated. Most importantly, individuals with more schooling value children’s educational success as more important.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Piopiunik, 2011. "Intergenerational Transmission of Education and Mediating Channels: Evidence from Compulsory Schooling Reforms in Germany," ifo Working Paper Series 107, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifowps:_107
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion

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