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Research ArticleArticle

Rank, Sex, Drugs and Crime

Benjamin Elsner and Ingo E. Isphording
Published online before print April 05, 2017, 0716-8080R; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.53.2.0716-8080R
Benjamin Elsner
Benjamin Elsner is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) in Bonn/Germany, and a Research Fellow at CReAM, University College London. Ingo E. Isphording is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) in Bonn/Germany.
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Ingo E. Isphording
Benjamin Elsner is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) in Bonn/Germany, and a Research Fellow at CReAM, University College London. Ingo E. Isphording is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) in Bonn/Germany.
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Abstract

We show that a student’s ordinal ability rank in a high-school cohort is an important determinant of engaging in risky behaviors. Using longitudinal data from representative US high schools, we find a strong negative effect of rank on the likelihood of smoking, drinking, having unprotected sex and engaging in physical fights. We further provide evidence that these results can be explained by sorting into peer groups and differences in career expectations. Students with a higher rank are less likely to be friends with other students who smoke and drink, while they have higher expectations towards their future educational attainment.

JEL-Classification
  • I12
  • I14
  • I21
  • I24
Keywords
  • Risky behavior
  • ability rank
  • peer effects
  • beliefs
  • expectations

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Journal of Human Resources: 58 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 58, Issue 3
1 May 2023
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Rank, Sex, Drugs and Crime
Benjamin Elsner, Ingo E. Isphording
Journal of Human Resources Apr 2017, 0716-8080R; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.53.2.0716-8080R

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Rank, Sex, Drugs and Crime
Benjamin Elsner, Ingo E. Isphording
Journal of Human Resources Apr 2017, 0716-8080R; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.53.2.0716-8080R
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Keywords

  • I12
  • I14
  • I21
  • I24
  • Risky Behavior
  • ability rank
  • Peer Effects
  • beliefs
  • expectations
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