Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/185255 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 11795
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper presents evidence of substantial causal effects of parental education on children's health behaviours and long-term health. We study intergenerational effects of a compulsory schooling increase in Germany after World War II, which was implemented across federal states at different points in time. Maternal schooling reduces children's smoking and overweight in adolescence. The effects persist into children's adulthood, reducing chronic conditions that often result from unhealthy lifestyles. We find no effects of paternal education. Children's peer environment early in life and increased investments in their education are possible effect channels. The intergenerational effects exceed the direct effects on health.
Subjects: 
parental education
returns to education
smoking
overweight
compulsory schooling
health behaviour
JEL: 
I12
I24
I26
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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