Publication type
ISER Working Paper Series
Series Number
2014-11
Series
ISER Working Paper Series
Author
Publication date
March 3, 2014
Abstract:
Previous studies have found that firstborn children enjoy a distinct advantage over their later- born counterparts in terms of educational attainment. This paper advances the state of knowledge in this area in two ways. First, it analyses the role of young people’s aspirations, estimating the effects of sibling configurations on adolescents’ educational aspirations, and the importance of these aspirations on later attainment. Second, it employs multilevel modelling techniques, using household-based data which include information on multiple children living in the same families. The paper finds that firstborn children have higher aspirations, and that these aspirations play a significant role in determining later levels of attainment. We also demonstrate a significant positive effect of age spacing on educational attainment.
Subjects
Notes
Multiple coverage in over 100 media outlets worldwide
Paper download#522342
Related Publications
-
Examining sibling configuration effects on young people’s educational aspiration and attainment
- Feifei Bu
Journal Article
March 15, 2016 -
For higher achievers hire firstborns
- Feifei Bu
Media
September 4, 2014 -
Do big sisters really do best?
- Feifei Bu
Media
July 1, 2014 -
Firstborn daughters are the most ambitious children, research finds
- Feifei Bu
Media
June 10, 2014 -
Are older siblings more ambitious?
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 30, 2014 -
Firstborn girls are the best at life
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 29, 2014 -
Female and firstborn success
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 29, 2014 -
First-born girls do the best
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 29, 2014 -
The girls born to be a success
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 28, 2014 -
Firstborn girls ‘most likely to be successful’
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 28, 2014 -
First-born best placed to succeed
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 28, 2014 -
Born winners: the daughters growing up in first place
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 28, 2014 -
First born child and female? Then you’re more likely to be a success
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 27, 2014 -
Female and firstborn in the family? Then you’re the one who’s most likely to succeed
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 27, 2014 -
Firstborn children really do excel, reveals groundbreaking study
- Feifei Bu
Media
April 26, 2014