Intergenerational transmission of culture among immigrants: Gender gap in education among first and second generations

TL;DR

This study examines how gender disparities in education are transmitted across generations of immigrants, showing persistent cultural influences from the home country and factors affecting assimilation.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence of cultural transmission of gender norms in education among immigrant generations and highlights factors influencing assimilation.

Findings

Gender gap in education persists across generations.

Cultural transmission correlates with ancestral gender differences.

Higher local education levels facilitate immigrant assimilation.

Abstract

This paper illustrates the intergenerational transmission of the gender gap in education among first and second-generation immigrants. Using the Current Population Survey (1994-2018), we find that the difference in female-male education persists from the home country to the new environment. A one standard deviation increase of the ancestral country female-male difference in schooling is associated with 17.2% and 2.5% of a standard deviation increase in the gender gap among first and second generations, respectively. Since gender perspective in education uncovers a new channel for cultural transmission among families, we interpret the findings as evidence of cultural persistence among first generations and partial cultural assimilation of second generations. Moreover, Disaggregation into country-groups reveals different paths for this transmission: descendants of immigrants of lower-income countries show fewer attachments to the gender opinions of their home country. Average local education of natives can facilitate the acculturation process. Immigrants residing in states with higher education reveal a lower tendency to follow their home country attitudes regarding the gender gap.