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Research ArticleArticle
Open Access

The Early Origins of Birth Order Differences in Children’s Outcomes and Parental Behavior

Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann, Ana Nuevo-Chiquero and Marian Vidal-Fernandez
Journal of Human Resources, January 2018, 53 (1) 123-156; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.53.1.0816-8177
Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann
Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann is a Manager at Analysis Group, Inc. Ana Nuevo-Chiquero is a Lecturer at the School of Economics, University of Edinburgh and an IZA Research Affiliate. Marian Vidal-Fernandez is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Economics at the University of Sydney, a Life Course Centre and an IZA Research Fellow.
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Ana Nuevo-Chiquero
Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann is a Manager at Analysis Group, Inc. Ana Nuevo-Chiquero is a Lecturer at the School of Economics, University of Edinburgh and an IZA Research Affiliate. Marian Vidal-Fernandez is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Economics at the University of Sydney, a Life Course Centre and an IZA Research Fellow.
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Marian Vidal-Fernandez
Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann is a Manager at Analysis Group, Inc. Ana Nuevo-Chiquero is a Lecturer at the School of Economics, University of Edinburgh and an IZA Research Affiliate. Marian Vidal-Fernandez is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Economics at the University of Sydney, a Life Course Centre and an IZA Research Fellow.
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Abstract

We document birth order differences in cognitive and noncognitive outcomes and maternal behavior from birth to adolescence using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79). As early as age one, later-born children score lower on cognitive tests than their siblings, and the gap increases until school entry and remains statistically significant thereafter. Variations in parental behavior, such as cognitive stimulation by mothers, can explain a large portion of the birth order differences in cognitive abilities before school entry. Our findings suggest that broad shifts in parental behavior are plausible explanations for the observed birth order differences in education and labor market outcomes.

  • Received August 2016.
  • Accepted August 2016.

This open access article is distributed under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0) and is freely available online at: http://jhr.uwpress.org

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Journal of Human Resources: 53 (1)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 53, Issue 1
1 Jan 2018
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The Early Origins of Birth Order Differences in Children’s Outcomes and Parental Behavior
Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann, Ana Nuevo-Chiquero, Marian Vidal-Fernandez
Journal of Human Resources Jan 2018, 53 (1) 123-156; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.53.1.0816-8177

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The Early Origins of Birth Order Differences in Children’s Outcomes and Parental Behavior
Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann, Ana Nuevo-Chiquero, Marian Vidal-Fernandez
Journal of Human Resources Jan 2018, 53 (1) 123-156; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.53.1.0816-8177
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