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Exposure to Socially Influential Peer Parents: Evidence from Cadre Parents in China

Author

Listed:
  • Liwen Chen

    (East China Normal University)

  • Bobby Chung

    (St Bonaventure University)

  • Guanghua Wang

    (Nanjing Audit University)

Abstract

Parents with a special social status generate spillover to children of others. This paper studies the effect of socially influential peer parents on students. Utilizing random classroom assignments of middle schools in China, we explore the effect of parents who are cadres (government officials) on the educational outcome of their children's classmates. Because cadres in China have a broad local influence on resource allocation, their presence elicits responses from surrounding parents and students. We find that increased exposure to peer parents who are cadres raises a student's test score. We find suggestive evidence that changes in parental behaviors as plausible channels. Cadre spillover is stronger in rural areas and schools with more government support, consistent with the variation in the local influence of cadres.

Suggested Citation

  • Liwen Chen & Bobby Chung & Guanghua Wang, 2021. "Exposure to Socially Influential Peer Parents: Evidence from Cadre Parents in China," Working Papers 2021-052, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2021-052
    Note: ECI
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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Chen_Chung_Wang_2021_exposure-socially-influential-peer-parents_r1.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cadres; peer effects; parental investments; peer parent; early-life development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East
    • P36 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training; Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty

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