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The Effect of Education Policy on Crime: An Intergenerational Perspective

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We examine the intergenerational effect of education policy on crime. Using administrative data that links outcomes across generations with crime records, we show that the Swedish comprehensive school reform, gradually implemented between 1949 and 1962, reduced conviction rates for both the generation directly affected by the reform and their sons. The reduction in conviction rates occurred in several types of crime. Mediation analysis suggests that key channels include increased parental educational attainment and household income, as well as reduced criminal behavior among fathers.

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  • Ulrika Ahrsjš & Costas Meghir & MŒrten Palme & Marieke Schnabel, 2025. "The Effect of Education Policy on Crime: An Intergenerational Perspective," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 2356R2, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:2356r2
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