RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Intergenerational Linkages in Consumption Behavior
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 355
OP 381
DO 10.3368/jhr.XXXIX.2.355
VO XXXIX
IS 2
A1 Andreas Waldkirch
A1 Serena Ng
A1 Donald Cox
YR 2004
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/XXXIX/2/355.abstract
AB We investigate familial relationships in consumption patterns using a sample of parents and their children from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. We find a positive and statistically significant parent-specific effect on children’s consumption even after controlling for the effect of parental income. This correlation is found in different measures of consumption, and is not sensitive to private transfers. In contrast, the correlation is not statistically significant between pairs of households that are not related. The evidence is quite strong that income is not the only source of a parental effect in consumption behavior of their offspring.