Citation
Rauscher, Emily (2017). Plastic and immobile: Unequal intergenerational mobility by genetic sensitivity score within sibling pairs.
Social Science Research. vol. 65 pp. 112-129
Abstract
Contrary to traditional biological arguments, the differential susceptibility model suggests genotype may moderate rather than mediate parent-child economic similarity. Using family fixed effects models of Add Health sibling data, I investigate the relationship between an index of sensitive genotypes and intergenerational mobility. Full, same sex sibling comparisons hold constant parental characteristics and address the non-random distribution of genotype that reduces internal validity in nationally representative samples. Across multiple measures of young adult financial standing, those with more copies of sensitive genotypes achieve lower economic outcomes than their sibling if they are from a low income context but fare better from a high income context. This genetic sensitivity to parental income entails lower intergenerational mobility. Results support the differential susceptibility model and contradict simplistic genetic explanations for intergenerational inequality, suggesting sensitive genotypes are not inherently positive or negative but rather increase dependence on parental income and reduce mobility.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2017.02.005Keyword(s)
Intergenerational mobility Gene-environment interaction Socioeconomic attainment Sibling analyses Fixed effects
Reference Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
Social Science Research
Author(s)
Rauscher, Emily
Year Published
2017
Volume Number
65
Pages
112-129
Edition
February 27, 2017
DOI
10.1016/j.ssresearch.2017.02.005
Reference ID
9243