In:
Demography, Duke University Press, Vol. 59, No. 2 ( 2022-04-01), p. 535-562
Abstract:
Although intergenerational transmission from parents to children has been widely studied, less is known about human capital spillover from children to parents. Utilizing nationally representative data on both doctor diagnosis and biomarkers, as well as exploiting variations in the implementation of China's Compulsory Education Law, we examine the effects of adult children's education on the prevalence of chronic cardiovascular illnesses among older parents in China and explore potential mechanisms. Instrumental variable estimates indicate that additional years of schooling among adult children decrease the prevalence of hypertension among older parents, whereas no evidence indicates a significant impact on the prevalence of diabetes among the same group. Sons and daughters differentially impact their mothers and fathers. Compared with fathers, mothers benefit more from adult children's education. Although no significant differences are observed in the effects of sons' and daughters' education in urban China, sons' education is more beneficial for parents' health in rural China. Further analyses show that financial support and health support (e.g., diagnosis and management of chronic illnesses and maintenance of health behaviors) are critical pathways for older parents to benefit from their adult children's education.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0070-3370
,
1533-7790
DOI:
10.1215/00703370-9766973
Language:
English
Publisher:
Duke University Press
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
280612-5
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2010091-7
SSG:
3,4
Permalink
