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Schooling, Family Background, and Adoption: Is it Nature or is it Nurture?

Author

Listed:
  • Plug, Erik

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Vijverberg, Wim P.

    (CUNY Graduate Center)

Abstract

When parents are more educated, their children tend to receive more schooling as well. Does this occur because parental ability is passed on genetically or because more educated parents provide a better environment for children to flourish? Using an intergenerational sample of families, we estimate on the basis of a comparison of biological and adopted children that at most 65 percent of the parental ability is genetically transmitted.

Suggested Citation

  • Plug, Erik & Vijverberg, Wim P., 2001. "Schooling, Family Background, and Adoption: Is it Nature or is it Nurture?," IZA Discussion Papers 247, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp247
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    adoption; Intergenerational mobility; genetic transfers; human capital;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • 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

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