The (Lack of) Anticipatory Effects of the Social Safety Net on Human Capital Investment†

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Deshpande, Manasi; Dizon-Ross, Rebecca
• 署名单位: University of Chicago; University of Chicago
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.20230010
• 发表日期: 2023
• 页码: 3129-3172
• 关键词: disability insurance receipt; PUBLIC-HEALTH INSURANCE; VOCATIONAL-REHABILITATION; welfare-reform; income; work; education; EMPLOYMENT; policies; program

摘要

How does the expectation that a child will receive government benefits in adulthood affect parental investments in the child's human capital? Most parents whose children receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits overestimate the likelihood that their child will receive SSI benefits in adulthood. We present randomly selected families with the predicted likelihood that their child will receive SSI benefits in adulthood. Reducing parents' expectations that children will receive benefits in adulthood does not increase investments in children's human capital. This zero effect is precisely estimated. Likely explanations include parents working more themselves, nonfinancial goals influencing investment, and families facing investment constraints. (JEL G52, I26, I38, J13, J24, J31)