RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Small Family, Smart Family?
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 33
OP 58
DO 10.3368/jhr.45.1.33
VO 45
IS 1
A1 Sandra E. Black
A1 Paul J. Devereux
A1 Kjell G. Salvanes
YR 2010
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/45/1/33.abstract
AB This paper uses Norwegian data to estimate the effect of family size on IQ scores of men. Instrumental variables (IV) estimates using sex composition as an instrument show no significant negative effect of family size; however, IV estimates using twins imply that family size has a negative effect on IQ scores. Our results suggest that the effect of family size depends on the type of family-size intervention and that there are no important negative effects of expected increases in family size. However, unexpected shocks to family size resulting from twin births have negative effects on the IQ scores of existing children.