Parents' incomes and children's outcomes: a quasi-experiment using transfer payments from casino profits

RKQ Akee, WE Copeland, G Keeler, A Angold… - American Economic …, 2010 - aeaweb.org
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2010aeaweb.org
We examine the role an exogenous increase in household income, due to a government
transfer unrelated to household characteristics, plays in children's long-run outcomes.
Children in affected households have higher levels of education in their young adulthood
and a lower incidence of criminality for minor offenses. Effects differ by initial household
poverty status. An additional $4,000 per year for the poorest households increases
educational attainment by one year at age 21, and reduces the chances of committing a …
Abstract
We examine the role an exogenous increase in household income, due to a government transfer unrelated to household characteristics, plays in children's long-run outcomes. Children in affected households have higher levels of education in their young adulthood and a lower incidence of criminality for minor offenses. Effects differ by initial household poverty status. An additional $4,000 per year for the poorest households increases educational attainment by one year at age 21, and reduces the chances of committing a minor crime by 22 percent for 16 and 17 year olds. Our evidence suggests improved parental quality is a likely mechanism for the change. (JEL D14, H23, I32, I38, J13)
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