RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Beyond Nature and Nurture JF Journal of Human Resources JO J Hum Resour FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 0220-10720R4 DO 10.3368/jhr.0220-10720R4 A1 Huang, Wei A1 Lei, Xiaoyan A1 Shen, Guangjun A1 Sun, Ang YR 2023 UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2023/10/02/jhr.0220-10720R4.abstract AB The impact of maternal education on child health has been well documented. Using the variations in exposure to China’s Compulsory Schooling Law (CSL), we find that education induced a lower incidence of teenage pregnancy and a higher likelihood of induced abortion following prenatal checkups. A back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that these channels could explain 45% of the birth defect decline induced by the CSL. The findings suggest that in countries where abortions are allowed, maternal education improves child health by decreasing pregnancy at an immature age and selection against abnormal/unhealthy fetuses.