The Impact of the Cultural Revolution on Intergenerational Mobility in China
(Job Market Paper)
Abstract:
This paper studies the impacts of the Cultural Revolution on intergenerational and multi-generational educational mobility in China. We use a difference-in-difference method to show that the Cultural Revolution (CR) significantly reduced the advantage of having a more-educated father on a child's educational attainment. The impact of the CR on intergenerational mobility is identified by an index that measures for each individual the number of school years during which the CR restricted education access. The decline of the effect of father's educational level on children' college degree attainment is mediated through the likelihood of obtaining a high school degree, participating in the college entrance examination, and obtaining higher exam scores for those who take the exam. However, the Cultural Revolution did not eliminate the advantage of having a more-educated father on a child's educational achievement, nor did it reduce the effect of grandfather's schooling on a grandchild's educational achievement.
Paper and the appendix:
This paper studies the impacts of the Cultural Revolution on intergenerational and multi-generational educational mobility in China. We use a difference-in-difference method to show that the Cultural Revolution (CR) significantly reduced the advantage of having a more-educated father on a child's educational attainment. The impact of the CR on intergenerational mobility is identified by an index that measures for each individual the number of school years during which the CR restricted education access. The decline of the effect of father's educational level on children' college degree attainment is mediated through the likelihood of obtaining a high school degree, participating in the college entrance examination, and obtaining higher exam scores for those who take the exam. However, the Cultural Revolution did not eliminate the advantage of having a more-educated father on a child's educational achievement, nor did it reduce the effect of grandfather's schooling on a grandchild's educational achievement.
Paper and the appendix:
The Impact of the Cultural Revolution on Intergenerational Mobility in China.pdf |
The Appendix of "The Impact of the Cultural Revolution on Intergenerational Mobility in China".pdf |
The Impact of the College Expansion on Skilled Labor Market in China
Abstract:
An unprecedented expansion in Chinese higher education system began in 1999, bringing a large number of skilled workers into the market. In this paper, I studied the short-term response of the labor market to this college expansion. Using the number of provincial college admissions as a measure of college expansion, I identified the impacts of the college expansion on the college premium, unemployment, and skills used in first jobs. In the short run, the college expansion decreased the college premium and increased the likelihood of unemployment for new college graduates. The decline of college premium for new skilled workers occurred both within and between industries and occupations. The college expansion also reduced the cognitive skills used in the first jobs of skilled workers. The negative impact of the college expansion on labor outcomes is smaller on older college workers. I also use the college admissions as an instrument to identify the impact of a positive supply shock on college premiums and the probability of unemployment. The 2SLS estimates suggest that a positive supply shock reduces the college premium and increases the probability of unemployment for young college workers. Our results are consistent with findings published in the 1970s focusing on the effects of the U.S college expansion.
Paper and the appendix:
An unprecedented expansion in Chinese higher education system began in 1999, bringing a large number of skilled workers into the market. In this paper, I studied the short-term response of the labor market to this college expansion. Using the number of provincial college admissions as a measure of college expansion, I identified the impacts of the college expansion on the college premium, unemployment, and skills used in first jobs. In the short run, the college expansion decreased the college premium and increased the likelihood of unemployment for new college graduates. The decline of college premium for new skilled workers occurred both within and between industries and occupations. The college expansion also reduced the cognitive skills used in the first jobs of skilled workers. The negative impact of the college expansion on labor outcomes is smaller on older college workers. I also use the college admissions as an instrument to identify the impact of a positive supply shock on college premiums and the probability of unemployment. The 2SLS estimates suggest that a positive supply shock reduces the college premium and increases the probability of unemployment for young college workers. Our results are consistent with findings published in the 1970s focusing on the effects of the U.S college expansion.
Paper and the appendix:
Impact of the College Expansion on Skilled Labor Market in China.pdf |
The Appendix of "Impact of the College Expansion on Skilled Labor Market in China".pdf |
The Impact of Aggregate College Admissions on the Internal Migration in China: Evidence from the College Expansion
Abstract:
China undertook a nationwide college expansion in 1999-2012, which dramatically increased college admissions and higher educational resources across the country. This paper studies the impact of aggregate college admissions on inter-provincial migration in China for different age groups before and during the college expansion. Using a linear model to examine migration propensity, we find that the college expansion has a direct “enrollment effect” and a “competition effect” on inter-provincial migration. College-bound students are more likely to migrate in ages 17-20 as college admissions in outside provinces increase; and college graduates are more likely to migrate after graduation as the number of local new college graduates increases. In addition, we identify a negative impact of local college admissions on migration in ages 17-20, reflecting the improvement in local educational and labor market opportunities. We also use a conditional Logit model to consider migration choice. It indicates a positive impact of regional college admissions on inter-regional migration.
Paper and the appendix:
China undertook a nationwide college expansion in 1999-2012, which dramatically increased college admissions and higher educational resources across the country. This paper studies the impact of aggregate college admissions on inter-provincial migration in China for different age groups before and during the college expansion. Using a linear model to examine migration propensity, we find that the college expansion has a direct “enrollment effect” and a “competition effect” on inter-provincial migration. College-bound students are more likely to migrate in ages 17-20 as college admissions in outside provinces increase; and college graduates are more likely to migrate after graduation as the number of local new college graduates increases. In addition, we identify a negative impact of local college admissions on migration in ages 17-20, reflecting the improvement in local educational and labor market opportunities. We also use a conditional Logit model to consider migration choice. It indicates a positive impact of regional college admissions on inter-regional migration.
Paper and the appendix:
The Impact of Aggregate College Admissions on the Internal Migration in China Evidence From the College Expansion |
The Appendix for "The Impact of Aggregate College Admissions on the Internal Migration in China Evidence From the College Expansion" |