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The Intergenerational Transmission of Cognitive Skills: An Investigation of the Causal Impact of Families on Student Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Eric A. Hanushek
  • Babs Jacobs
  • Guido Schwerdt
  • Rolf van der Velden
  • Stan Vermeulen
  • Simon Wiederhold

Abstract

The extensive literature on intergenerational mobility highlights the importance of family linkages but fails to provide credible evidence about the underlying family factors that drive the pervasive correlations. We employ a unique combination of Dutch survey and registry data that links math and language skills across generations. We identify a causal connection between cognitive skills of parents and their children by exploiting within-family between-subject variation in these skills. The data also permit novel IV estimation that isolates variation in parental cognitive skills due to school and peer quality. The between-subject and IV estimates of the key intergenerational persistence parameter are strikingly similar and close at about 0.1. Finally, we show the strong influence of family skill transmission on children’s choices of STEM fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric A. Hanushek & Babs Jacobs & Guido Schwerdt & Rolf van der Velden & Stan Vermeulen & Simon Wiederhold, 2021. "The Intergenerational Transmission of Cognitive Skills: An Investigation of the Causal Impact of Families on Student Outcomes," NBER Working Papers 29450, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29450
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    Cited by:

    1. Gaelle Aymeric & Emmanuelle Lavaine & Brice Magdalou, 2025. "Parental environment and student achievement: Does a Matthew effect exist?," Papers 2510.18481, arXiv.org.
    2. Jacobs, Babs & van der Velden, Rolf, 2021. "Exploring the uncharted waters of educational mobility: The role of key skills," Research Memorandum 016, Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE).
    3. Zheyuan Zhang & Hui Xu & Ruilin Liu & Zhong Zhao, 2025. "Free education and the intergenerational transmission of cognitive skills in rural China," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(1), pages 1-30, March.
    4. Gordon B. Dahl & Dan-Olof Rooth & Anders Stenberg, 2024. "Intergenerational and Sibling Spillovers in High School Majors," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 16(3), pages 133-173, August.
    5. Eric A. Hanushek & Babs Jacobs & Guido Schwerdt & Rolf van der Velden & Stan Vermeulen & Simon Wiederhold, 2021. "Where Do STEM Graduates Stem From? The Intergenerational Transmission of Comparative Skill Advantages," CESifo Working Paper Series 9388, CESifo.
    6. Jandarova, Nurfatima, 2025. "Does intelligence shield children from the effects of parental non-employment?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    7. Gielen, Anne C. & Webbink, Dinand, 2023. "Unexpected Colonial Returns: Self-Selection and Economic Integration of Migrants over Multiple Generations," IZA Discussion Papers 16065, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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