Family Disadvantage and the Gender Gap in Behavioral and Educational Outcomes

• DOI: 10.1257/app.20170571
• Publication Date: 2019-06-27T12:49:40Z
• Authors: David Autor; David Figlio; Krzysztof Karbownik; Jeffrey Roth; Melanie Wasserman
• Keywords: Disadvantage; Disadvantaged; Gender gap

Boys born to disadvantaged families have higher rates of disciplinary problems, lower achievement scores, and fewer high school completions than girls from comparable backgrounds. Using birth certificates matched schooling records for Florida children 1992–2002, we find that family disadvantage disproportionately impedes the pre-market development boys. The differential effect on boys is robust specifications within schools neighborhoods as well across siblings families. Evidence supports this postnatal environment; unrelated gender gap in neonatal health. We conclude among black larger white substantial part because are raised more (JEL D91, I24, I32, J13, J15, J16)