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  4. May 2018
  5. The Effect of Parental Education on Children's Drug and Alcohol Use

The Effect of Parental Education on Children's Drug and Alcohol Use

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Abstract

This research is the first to uncover evidence of an intergenerational effect of education on substance use in the United States. Using data from the NLSY79 and variation in education induced by changes in compulsory schooling laws, we study the effect of parental education on children's use of drugs and alcohol. We find that an increase in parental education decreases alcohol consumption—binge drinking, in particular—and has no effect on marijuana consumption among youth. Given the high social costs associated with alcohol abuse, we conclude that previous research on education may appreciably underestimate the benefits of investments in education.

Citation

Chalfin, Aaron, and Monica Deza. 2018. "The Effect of Parental Education on Children's Drug and Alcohol Use." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 108: 373-78. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20181105

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • I12 Health Behavior
  • I21 Analysis of Education
  • I28 Education: Government Policy
  • J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth