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What Drives Second Generation Success? The Roles Of Education, Culture, And Context

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  • Nathan Deutscher

Abstract

I explore differences in intergenerational income mobility among second generation Australians—why do some communities do better or worse than would be expected from first generation incomes alone? I present a new decomposition of this exceptional income mobility, finding exceptional educational mobility drives many of these differences. Drawing on rich survey and test score data, I provide evidence that educational mobility partly reflects a role for culture—but also the wider context of migration. In particular, migrants facing higher first generation income penalties tend to aspire to and acquire more education, and see it as more important to success. (JEL J62, F22, I2)

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  • Nathan Deutscher, 2020. "What Drives Second Generation Success? The Roles Of Education, Culture, And Context," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(4), pages 1707-1730, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:58:y:2020:i:4:p:1707-1730
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12899
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    1. Roger Wilkins, 2021. "Economic Wellbeing," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 54(4), pages 469-481, December.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education

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