Intergenerational and Sibling Spillovers in High School Majors

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2024
Volume: 16
Issue: 3
Pages: 133-73

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 estimates family spillovers in high school major choice in Sweden, where admission to oversubscribed majors is determined based on GPA. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find large sibling and intergenerational spillovers that depend on the sex mix of a dyad. Same-sex siblings copy one another, while younger brothers recoil from an older sister's choices. Fathers and mothers influence sons but not their daughters, except when a mother majors in the male-dominated program of engineering. Back-of-the-envelope calculations reveal that these within-family spillovers have sizable implications for the sex composition of majors.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:133-73
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25