Universität zu Köln

Hufe, Paul, Peichl, Andreas, Roemer, John and Ungerer, Martin (2017). Inequality of income acquisition: the role of childhood circumstances. Soc Choice Welf., 49 (3-4). S. 499 - 545. NEW YORK: SPRINGER. ISSN 1432-217X

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Abstract

Many studies have estimated the effect of circumstances on income acquisition. Perhaps surprisingly, the fraction of inequality attributable to circumstances is usually quite small-in the advanced democracies, approximately 20%. One reason for this is the lack of data on circumstance variables in empirical research. Here, we argue that all behaviors and accomplishments of children should be considered the consequence of circumstances: that is, an individual should not be considered to be responsible for her choices before an age of consent is reached. Using two data sets that contain data on childhood accomplishments, other environmental circumstances and the income as an adult, we calculate that the fraction of income inequality due to circumstances in the US rises from 27 to 43% when accounting for childhood circumstances. In the UK it rises from 18 to 27%.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Hufe, Paul UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Peichl, Andreas UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Roemer, John UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Ungerer, Martin UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-209903
DOI:	10.1007/s00355-017-1044-x
Journal or Publication Title:	Soc Choice Welf.
Volume:	49
Number:	3-4
Page Range:	S. 499 - 545
Date:	2017
Publisher:	SPRINGER
Place of Publication:	NEW YORK
ISSN:	1432-217X
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language OPPORTUNITY THEORY; UNITED-STATES; EQUALITY Multiple languages Economics; Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/20990