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Author: De Serf, Megan
Resulting in 2 citations.
1. De Serf, Megan
The Effects of Familial, Economic, and Social Variables on Children's Educational Attainment
The Park Place Economist 10,1 (2002): 14-20
Cohort(s): Children of the NLSY79, NLSY79
Publisher: Department of Economics, Illinois Wesleyan University
Keyword(s): Children, Academic Development; Educational Attainment; Family Influences; Family Resources; Human Capital; Religious Influences; Undergraduate Research

Permission to reprint the abstract has not been received from the publisher.

Throughout this project, the impact of variables such as income, family size, single vs. dual headed households, parents' educational attainments and other background factors affecting the educational attainments of children in these families are examined. Additionally, the effect of children's drug and alcohol use/abuse on their education is examined. In doing this project, I prove that key background factors give some children an educational advantage over other children. Section II presents the human capital theory and explains the household production unit. It also evaluates the existing literature on socioeconomic factors relating to educational attainment. Section III explains the empirical model and data extracted from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY). Section IV discusses the results of the model, and Section V draws conclusions from the results and suggests policy implications.
Bibliography Citation
De Serf, Megan. "The Effects of Familial, Economic, and Social Variables on Children's Educational Attainment." The Park Place Economist 10,1 (2002): 14-20.
2. De Serf, Megan
The Effects of Family, Social and Background Factors on Children's Educational Attainment
Honors Project Paper 8, Department of Economics, Illinois Wesleyan University, 2002.
Also: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/econ_honproj/8
Cohort(s): NLSY79
Publisher: Digital Commons@ Illinois Wesleyan University (DC@IWU)
Keyword(s): Educational Attainment; Parental Influences; Racial Differences; Socioeconomic Background; Undergraduate Research

Permission to reprint the abstract has not been received from the publisher.

In a perfect world, children of all races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and family types would not only have the opportunity to receive a higher education, but they would also take full advantage of these opportunities. The educational level of children in the ghettos of Chicago or St. Louis would be equal to their suburban counterparts. However, it is not a perfect world, and educational attainment of children and young adults from varying backgrounds differ greatly. Do some children have advantages that are not available to other children with differing backgrounds? In educational and economic studies, it has been found that background variables including family income, family type, family size, and parents' education are determinants of the amount and quality of education children receive over their lifetime (Jones, 1999; Rosetti, 2000). It is evident that familial and parental factors can either benefit or harm the chances of children receiving an education and excelling in a scholastic environment. More importantly to this paper, the disparity in educational levels among children and adults of different racial backgrounds has led scholars to question whether the background variables mentioned above have different effects dependent on specific racial groups.
Bibliography Citation
De Serf, Megan. "The Effects of Family, Social and Background Factors on Children's Educational Attainment." Honors Project Paper 8, Department of Economics, Illinois Wesleyan University, 2002.