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The long-reach of fathers’ earnings on children’s skills in two-parent families: Parental investments, family processes, and children’s language skills

Author

Listed:
  • Natasha Cabrera

    (University of Maryland)

  • Ronald Mincy

    (Columbia University)

  • Hyunjoon Um

    (Columbia University)

Abstract

Using a sample of 735 two-parent families drawn from the FFCWS, we examined the direct and indirect associations between fathers’ permanent earnings during the early childhood and children’s cognitive and behavioral outcomes at ages 5 and 9 through parental investments, family processes, and children’s skills at age 3. We found that fathers’ earnings in the early years were significantly related to children’s language skills at age 5 but not to aggressive behavior or to any outcomes at age 9. The association between earnings and language skills at age 5 and math and reading at age 9 were mediated by cognitively stimulating materials and children’s language skills at age 5. The effect sizes are small and the mediating effects of fathers’ earnings on reading and math are only for children of the highest earning fathers. For two-parent families, policies to increase fathers’ earnings alone will have little impact on children’s development.

Suggested Citation

  • Natasha Cabrera & Ronald Mincy & Hyunjoon Um, 2018. "The long-reach of fathers’ earnings on children’s skills in two-parent families: Parental investments, family processes, and children’s language skills," Working Papers wp18-06-ff, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:crcwel:wp18-06-ff
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    File URL: https://fragilefamilies.princeton.edu/sites/fragilefamilies/files/wp18-06-ff.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. McLeod, Branden A. & Johnson, Waldo E. & Cryer-Coupet, Qiana R. & Mincy, Ronald B., 2019. "Examining the longitudinal effects of paternal incarceration and coparenting relationships on sons' educational outcomes: A mediation analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 362-375.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Early and middle childhood; FFCW; parental investment; coresidence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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