Andrea Del Pizzo (University Carlos III of Madrid)
Jan Stuhler
In this paper, we present evidence for multiple channels in intergenerational transmission by analyzing surname-based data. When social status depends on various determinants with differing persistence rates, persistent characteristics become more crucial in explaining correlations with distant relatives. Using US Census data from 1920-1940, we test this hypothesis by examining variations in surname group sizes. Larger surname groups include more distant relatives, while smaller groups reflect closer familial connections. Our findings show varying persistence rates across observable and unobservable characteristics. Persistent traits, such as geographical location and ethnicity, become increasingly important in larger groups, while residual individual traits become less significant. This explains the observed greater surname level persistence in larger groups. The existence of multiple intergenerational transmission channels has two key implications. First, it explains the high persistence of socioeconomic status across generations due to the increasing importance of persistent factors among distant relatives. Second, it rationalises that the degree of social mobility in different families depends on the persistence of the determinants of their status.