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Intergenerational transmission of education in China: Pattern, mechanism, and policies

Author

Listed:
  • Jingyi Huang

    (University of Michigan, U.S.A.)

  • Yumei Guo

    (Central University of Finance and Economics, China)

  • Yang Song

    (Renmin University of China)

Abstract

This paper has three objectives. First, we present the mobility pattern for intergenerational education persistence. Second, we estimate the effect of parental education on children education by using instruments generated by the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and further explore the mechanisms of this causal relationship. Third, this study aims to investigate the impact of two education reforms on intergenerational transmission of education, including the Compulsory Education Law and college expansion reform. Although mobility seems increasing for the newer generation, the lowest mobility is found in rural areas for the lowest-educated group. Fathers' education has a significant impact on children education through the nurture effect, which is almost entirely driven by father's income. Finally, we find that popularizing compulsory education did not have a expected effect on increasing mobility. Moreover, the college expansion policy indeed reduces the intergenerational education mobility in urban areas, but this effect is not found in rural areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingyi Huang & Yumei Guo & Yang Song, 2016. "Intergenerational transmission of education in China: Pattern, mechanism, and policies," Working Papers 415, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    • Handle: RePEc:inq:inqwps:ecineq2016-415
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    File URL: http://www.ecineq.org/milano/WP/ECINEQ2016-415.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Kishwar, Shabana & Alam, Khorshed, 2021. "Educational mobility across generations of formally and informally employed: Evidence from Pakistan," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    3. Junwu, Xu & Zhaoxiong, Chen & Junjie, Wu, 2022. "Return of migrant workers, educational investment in children and intergenerational mobility in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 997-1009.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    intergenerational education mobility; nurture effect; education reforms; China.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H5 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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