Parental education and children’s educational outcomes: evidence from the compulsory schooling law in China

Jingwei Huang, Haiyang Kong, Yixing Tian and Wei Zheng

Applied Economics, 2025, vol. 57, issue 53, 8856-8871

Abstract: There is a growing body of literature investigating the impact of parental education, particularly maternal education, on children’s educational outcomes. This study aims to explore the causal effect of both parents’ education on children’s educational outcomes by leveraging the implementation of China’s 1986 Compulsory Schooling Law. Utilizing data from the China Family Panel Studies, our findings reveal that highly educated parents enhance child school enrolment rates and reduce delayed primary school enrolment, with notable variations based on child gender. These results underscore the significance of considering both parents’ educational backgrounds in shaping children’s educational attainment. Additionally, we examine various underlying mechanisms behind these observed effects, including attendance at key-point schools equipped with better teachers and facilities.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2024.2404725

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