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How Parenting Styles Shape Children’s Lifetime Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Dohmen
  • Bart Golsteyn
  • Hans Grönqvist
  • Edvin Hertegård
  • Gerard Pfann
  • Gerard A. Pfann

Abstract

This study examines how parenting styles predict children’s lifetime outcomes. Using a Swedish dataset which combines rich survey information on parenting styles with administrative records tracking children over five decades, we find that authoritarian parenting is negatively associated with children’s long-term success, especially regarding their educational attainment. The results for other parenting styles are more mixed. Authoritarian parenting remains a robust predictor of adverse outcomes even when accounting for ability and family background. We identify children’s knowledge accumulation and parental educational expectations as key mechanisms explaining these results.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Dohmen & Bart Golsteyn & Hans Grönqvist & Edvin Hertegård & Gerard Pfann & Gerard A. Pfann, 2026. "How Parenting Styles Shape Children’s Lifetime Outcomes," CESifo Working Paper Series 12407, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12407
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • R20 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - General

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