Exposure to socially influential peer parents: Evidence from cadre parents in China

Parents with a special social status generate spillover effects to other parents and children. Because cadres (government officials) in China have a broad influence on resource allocation, their presence elicits responses from surrounding parents and students. Exploiting random classroom assignments in Chinese middle schools, we find that increased exposure to classmates' cadre parents raises parents' attention to their children's friendships and guidance over school-work. We also find evidence suggesting that parental changes raise the child's test scores. The findings highlight parental adjustments as a mediator of the external influence of peer parents on children.

Automated summary

Parents with a special social status, such as cadre parents, have spillover effects on other parents and children. This is because cadres in China have a broad influence on resource allocation, leading to responses from surrounding parents and students. Through a study on random classroom assignments in Chinese middle schools, it is found that increased exposure to classmates' cadre parents leads to parents paying more attention to their children's friendships and school-work guidance, which in turn improves the child's test scores. These findings highlight parental adjustments as a mediator of the external influence of peer parents on children.