Wealth at birth and its effect on child academic achievement and behavioral problems

Luis Faundez () and Robert Kaestner ()
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Luis Faundez: University of California
Robert Kaestner: University of Chicago and NBER

The Journal of Economic Inequality, 2025, vol. 23, issue 2, No 5, 397-431

Abstract: Abstract In this article, we examine the association between family wealth and academic achievement and socioemotional behaviors of children ages 5 to 12. We examine whether wealth prior to birth and at ages 4 or 5 affects academic test scores and behavioral problems during two periods of childhood, ages 5 to 8 and ages 9 to 12, for a large and relatively recent cohort of children. We also examine associations between different forms of wealth (e.g., home equity) and child achievement and behaviors. Finally, we assess whether wealth prior to birth mediates racial/ethnic disparities in child achievement and disparities in achievement by maternal education/ability (AFQT). Results of our analysis indicate that wealth, particularly financial wealth that is the most liquid, has a modest positive association with achievement test scores. We also find that wealth is associated with fewer behavioral problems, but these results are less robust.

Keywords: Wealth; Child achievement; Racial/ethnic gap in child achievement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 I24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10888-024-09640-x

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