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Intergenerational Transmission

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The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics

Abstract

Intergenerational transmission refers to the transfer of individual abilities, traits, behaviours and outcomes from parents to their children. This article analyses the key theoretical and empirical issues in studies of intergenerational transmission of educational attainment, welfare receipt and fertility. Mechanisms that lead to intergenerational transmission of these outcomes are discussed in detail. The role of government policy in affecting intergenerational transmission is also considered.

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Lochner, L. (2018). Intergenerational Transmission. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_2786

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