Small Family, Smart Family? Family Size and the IQ Scores of Young Men

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Human Resources
Year: 2010
Volume: 45
Issue: 1

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This paper uses Norwegian data to estimate the effect of family size on IQ scores of men. Instrumental variables (IV) estimates using sex composition as an instrument show no significant negative effect of family size; however, IV estimates using twins imply that family size has a negative effect on IQ scores. Our results suggest that the effect of family size depends on the type of family-size intervention and that there are no important negative effects of expected increases in family size. However, unexpected shocks to family size resulting from twin births have negative effects on the IQ scores of existing children.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:uwp:jhriss:v:45:y:2010:i:1:p33-58
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24