Human Capital, Heterogeneity, and Estimated Degrees of Intergenerational Mobility

44 Pages Posted: 17 May 2000 Last revised: 26 Jun 2022

See all articles by Casey B. Mulligan

Casey B. Mulligan

University of Chicago; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Song Han

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Date Written: April 2000

Abstract

Some of the important implications of the parental investment model of intergenerational mobility have been derived under the assumption that parental income is the main source of heterogeneity. We explicitly model the variability and inheritability of innate' earnings ability and the variability of tastes, showing how they affect observed degrees of intergenerational consumption and earnings mobility. Heterogeneity increases the difficulty of detecting the existence of borrowing constrained families. Conversely, the presence of heterogeneity means that economic and linear statistical models of inheritance generate similar intergenerational data on consumption and earnings. In this sense, our findings offer some support for Goldberger's (1989) criticism of human capital models of inheritance. Finally, we suggest that any cross-country differences in intergenerational earnings mobility are more readily interpreted according to the heterogeneity of inherited ability, rather than optimal family responses to country-specific institutions for accumulating human capital.

Suggested Citation

Mulligan, Casey B. and Han, Song, Human Capital, Heterogeneity, and Estimated Degrees of Intergenerational Mobility (April 2000). NBER Working Paper No. w7678, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=228146

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Song Han

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