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Education, Gender, and Family Formation
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Education, Gender, and Family Formation

Author

Listed:
  • Virtanen, Hanna

    (ETLA - The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy)

  • Silliman, Mikko

    (Aalto University)

  • Kuuppelomäki, Tiina

    (Labour Institute for Economic Research)

  • Huttunen, Kristiina

    (Aalto University)

Abstract

We study the effect of educational attainment on family formation using regression discontinuity designs generated by centralized admissions processes to both secondary and tertiary education in Finland. Admission to further education at either margin does not increase the likelihood that men form families. In contrast, women admitted to further education are more likely to both live with a partner and have children. We then pre-register and test two hypotheses which could explain each set of results using survey data. These suggest that the positive association between men's education and family formation observed in the data is driven by selection. For women, our estimates are consistent with the idea that, as increased returns to social skills shift the burden of child development from schools to parents and particularly mothers, education can make women more attractive as potential partners.

Suggested Citation

  • Virtanen, Hanna & Silliman, Mikko & Kuuppelomäki, Tiina & Huttunen, Kristiina, 2024. "Education, Gender, and Family Formation," IZA Discussion Papers 17122, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17122
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    family; education; gender;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education

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