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School starting age policy and students' risky health behaviors

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  • Yoosik Shin

Abstract

A school starting age policy may generate disparities in the age at which students enter school, and in the relative age for grade among children born in similar periods. I analyze the impacts of being young‐for‐grade on students' risky health behaviors. Using a fuzzy regression discontinuity design which exploits the school entry system in South Korea, I find that being younger in the class leads students to begin drinking alcohol earlier. In addition, it increases the likelihood of drinking over the past 30 days. Being young‐for‐grade also impacts the probability of having sexual intercourse during one's high school years. My main findings are driven by both girls and boys. The robustness of my results is supported by several alternative specifications.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoosik Shin, 2023. "School starting age policy and students' risky health behaviors," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(11), pages 2446-2459, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:32:y:2023:i:11:p:2446-2459
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4740
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