Intergenerational education transmission in China: The gender dimension

This paper explores gender differences in intergenerational patterns of education attainment in China. Using the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey for 2016, we find that intergenerational 'persistence', as reflected in high regression and correlation coefficients between an individual's and their parents' education levels, is higher for females than males for the entire sample and for each of four age cohorts. This result stems primarily from the relative lack of upward mobility among females from families with low levels of education, as confirmed by a series of educational mobility matrices and a multinomial logistic regression analysis. The results offer novel insights into gender differences in the unequal transmission of education across generations, with significant implications for gender inequality more broadly in Chinese society.

Automated summary

This paper examines gender differences in intergenerational education attainment in China. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey in 2016, the study finds that intergenerational 'persistence' is higher for females than males in the entire sample and across different age cohorts. The results suggest that the relatively low upward mobility among females from families with low education levels contributes to this gender difference. These findings provide valuable insights into the unequal transmission of education across generations and its implications for gender inequality in Chinese society.