The Effect of Education Policy on Crime: An Intergenerational Perspective

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Ahrsjo, Ulrika; Meghir, Costas; Palme, Marten; Schnabel, Marieke
• 署名单位: Stockholm School of Economics; Yale University; National Bureau of Economic Research; IZA Institute Labor Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK; Stockholm University; Leibniz Association; Ifo Institut; University of London; University College London
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-3808
• DOI: 10.1086/742423
• 发表日期: 2026
• 关键词: labor-market returns; income-tax credit; achievement evidence; parental education; outcomes evidence; TECHNOLOGY; IMPACT; identification; unemployment; transmission

摘要

We examine the intergenerational effect of education policy on crime. Using administrative data that link outcomes across generations with crime records, we show that the Swedish comprehensive school reform, gradually implemented between 1949 and 1962, reduced conviction rates both for the generation directly affected and for their sons. The reduction occurred across several types of crime. Mediation analysis suggests that the key channels include increased parental educational attainment and household income, as well as reduced criminal behavior among fathers.