The Value of Family Background for Educational Attainment

Seminararbeit , 2009 , 18 Seiten , Note: 1,7

VWL - Sonstiges

This paper examines the impact of family background on children’s schooling attainments. It outlines the discussion in the economic community presenting studies that give empirical evidence of several important characteristics as parents’ education, income and other environmental factors that lead to a higher level of children’s schooling. Based on a research that claims to have quantified genetic influence on schooling using data of adopted children, this paper discusses possible methodological problems arguing that the authors’ estimation seems to ignore an important intervenient variable, the age of the adopted children at adoption.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Literature screening
• A more detailed look at the genetic aspect...
• Some comments on genes....
• Conclusion.......
• References...

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This seminar paper examines the impact of family background on children's educational attainment. It explores the debate within the economic community, presenting studies that provide empirical evidence of the influence of various factors, such as parental education, income, and environmental factors, on children's schooling levels. The paper also critically analyzes a research study that claims to have quantified genetic influence on schooling using data from adopted children, highlighting potential methodological issues and arguing that the authors' estimation may overlook an important intervening variable: the age of adopted children at adoption.

• The role of family background in educational attainment
• The impact of parental education, income, and social environment
• The debate on the influence of genetics on educational outcomes
• Methodological considerations in quantifying genetic influence
• The importance of human capital formation in economic development

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The paper begins by introducing the concept of human capital formation and its significance in economic development, particularly for countries with limited natural resources. It highlights the importance of investments in human capital and R&D, referencing the Lisbon Agenda and its emphasis on creating a knowledge-based economy. The paper then focuses on the specific topic of family background and its influence on children's educational attainment, drawing attention to the PISA-Study and the EUROSTUDENT III-Study, which revealed disparities in educational outcomes based on socioeconomic background.

The second chapter provides a literature review, presenting various studies that explore the relationship between independent variables such as parental income, education, social environment, and genetic endowment, and the dependent variable of children's educational attainment. The chapter discusses the theoretical framework of Becker and Tomes (1986), which posits that human capital is intergenerationally transmitted. It also examines the role of social factors and environmental influences on educational outcomes.

The third chapter delves deeper into studies that focus on the genetic aspect of educational attainment, examining the arguments and findings of researchers who claim to have quantified genetic influence. The chapter critically analyzes these studies, highlighting potential methodological limitations and arguing that the authors' estimations may overlook important intervening variables.

Schlüsselwörter

The key words and focus themes of the text include family background, educational attainment, human capital formation, parental education, income, social environment, genetic influence, methodological considerations, and the debate on the role of nature versus nurture in shaping educational outcomes.

• Hochschule: Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
• Veranstaltung: Seminar in Applied Economics
• Note: 1,7
• Autor: Henner Will (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2009
• Seiten: 18
• Katalognummer: V147004
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640579273
• ISBN (Buch): 9783640579037
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Family Background, Education, empirical studies, Becker, Gary S. Becker