Rank, sex, drugs, and crime

Citation

Elsner, Benjamin & Isphording, Ingo E. (2018). Rank, sex, drugs, and crime. Journal of Human Resources. vol. 53 (2) pp. 356-381

Abstract

We show that a student’s ordinal ability rank in a high-school cohort is an important determinant of engaging in risky behaviors. Using longitudinal data from representative US high schools, we find a strong negative effect of rank on the likelihood of smoking, drinking, having unprotected sex, and engaging in physical fights. We further provide evidence that these results can be explained by sorting into peer groups and differences in career expectations. Students with a higher rank are less likely to be friends with other students who smoke and drink, while they have higher expectations towards their future educational attainment.

URL

http://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.53.2.0716-8080R

Keyword(s)

Crime Drug user Educational attainment Smoking Student

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Human Resources

Author(s)

Elsner, Benjamin
Isphording, Ingo E.

Year Published

2018

Volume Number

53

Issue Number

2

Pages

356-381

Edition

April 5, 2017

DOI

10.3368/jhr.53.2.0716-8080R

Reference ID

8324