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Determinants of bilingualism among children: an econometric analysis

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  • Barry R. Chiswick

    (George Washington University
    IZA –Institute for the Study of Labor)

  • Marina Gindelsky

    (George Washington University)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the determinants of bilingualism (i.e., speaks a language other than English at home) among children age 5–18 years in the American Community Survey, 2005–2011. Two groups of children are considered: those born in the US (native born) and foreign-born children who immigrated prior to age 14 (the 1.5 generation). The analyses are conducted overall, within genders, and within racial and ethnic groups. Bilingualism is more prevalent if the parents are foreign born, less proficient in English, of the same ancestry (linguistic) group, and if the child lives in an ethnic (linguistic) concentration area. Although the effects are relatively smaller, a foreign-born grandparent living in the household increases child bilingualism, while a higher level of parental education tends to decrease it. Children of Asian and Hispanic origin are more likely to be bilingual than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Barry R. Chiswick & Marina Gindelsky, 2016. "Determinants of bilingualism among children: an econometric analysis," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 489-506, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:14:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11150-015-9301-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-015-9301-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Barry Chiswick & Yew Lee & Paul Miller, 2005. "“Parents and Children Talk: English Language Proficiency within Immigrant Families”," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 243-268, September.
    2. Cynthia Feliciano, 2001. "The Benefits of Biculturalism: Exposure to Immigrant Culture and Dropping out of School among Asian and Latino Youths," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 82(4), pages 865-879, December.
    3. Feng, Li & Gai, Yunwei & Chen, Xiaoning, 2014. "Family learning environment and early literacy: A comparison of bilingual and monolingual children," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 110-130.
    4. Albert Saiz & Elena Zoido, 2002. "The returns to speaking a second language," Working Papers 02-16, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
    5. Chiswick, Barry R. & Gindelsky, Marina, 2014. "Determinants of Bilingualism among Children," IZA Discussion Papers 8488, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jürges, Hendrik & Makles, Anna M. & Naghavi, Arash & Schneider, Kerstin, 2022. "Melting pot kindergarten: The effect of linguistic diversity in early education," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    3. Barry R. Chiswick & Paul W. Miller, 2018. "Do native-born bilinguals in the US earn more?," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 563-583, September.

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