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Like Great-Grandparent, Like Great-Grandchild? Multigenerational Mobility in American History

Author

Listed:
  • Zachary Ward
  • Kasey Buckles
  • Joseph Price

Abstract

Using data on 2.5 million great-grandchildren linked to their great-grandfathers in the US (1850–1940), we show that economic gaps persisted strongly across four generations despite major structural change. We find that one-third of the initial differences in economic status across white great-grandfathers remained in their great-grandchildren. When including both Black and white families, this persistence rises to about 50 percent, largely because the gap between Black and white families closed slowly over time. Grandparent and great-grandparent status matter beyond the father's status, indicating slower convergence to the mean than predicted by two-generational estimates. However, this excess persistence is largely driven by enduring racial inequality as grandparent effects are small within the white population.

Suggested Citation

  • Zachary Ward & Kasey Buckles & Joseph Price, 2025. "Like Great-Grandparent, Like Great-Grandchild? Multigenerational Mobility in American History," NBER Working Papers 33923, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33923
    Note: CH DAE LS
    as

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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