The Intergenerational Health Effects of Forced Displacement: Japanese American Incarceration during WWII

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Grossman, Daniel; Khalil, Umair; Panza, Laura
• 署名单位: West Virginia University; National Bureau of Economic Research; Deakin University; University of Melbourne; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2025.105308
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: Carceral health effects; Forced migration; Birth outcomes

摘要

We study the intergenerational health consequences of forced displacement and incarceration of Japanese Americans in the US during WWII. Incarcerated mothers had babies who were less healthy at birth. This decrease in health represents a shift in the entire birthweight distribution due to exposure to prison camps. Imprisoned individuals were less likely to have children with fathers of other ethnic groups but were more likely to invest in education, and participate in the labor market. Despite these positive human capital effects, overall we find a negative effect of incarceration on intergenerational health.