Intergenerational Networks, Unemployment, and Persistent Inequality in South Africa

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2010
Volume: 2
Issue: 1
Pages: 62-85

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper examines the importance of network-based intergenerational correlations in South Africa. I use longitudinal data on young South Africans to examine the covariance of children's employment with the usefulness of parents in their job search. I find that fathers serve as useful network connections to their sons (not daughters), and that mothers do not seem to be useful network connections. The father-son effect is robust to alternate explanations of specific human capital and correlated networks. The size of this effect is large. Present fathers' utility as network connections may be responsible for a one-third increase in their sons' employment rates. (JEL D31, J12, J13, J24, J62, O15, Z13)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:2:y:2010:i:1:p:62-85
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25