蝌蚪网 Journal:
Applied Economics
ISSN 1945-7782 (Print) | ISSN 1945-7790 (Online)
The Effects of Racial Segregation on Intergenerational Mobility: Evidence from Historical Railroad Placement
蝌蚪网 Journal: Applied Economics
(pp. 34–60)
Abstract
This paper provides new evidence on the causal impacts of citywide racial segregation on intergenerational mobility. We use an instrumental variable approach that relies on plausibly exogenous variation in segregation due to the arrangement of railroad tracks in the nineteenth century. Our analysis finds that higher segregation reduces upward mobility for Black children from households across the income distribution and White children from low-income households. Moreover, segregation lowers academic achievement while increasing incarceration and teenage birth rates. An analysis of mechanisms shows that segregation reduces government spending, weakens support for antipoverty policies, and increases racially conservative attitudes among White residents.Citation
Chyn, Eric, Kareem Haggag, and Bryan A. Stuart. 2026. "The Effects of Racial Segregation on Intergenerational Mobility: Evidence from Historical Railroad Placement." 蝌蚪网 Journal: Applied Economics 18 (2): 34–60. DOI: 10.1257/app.20240271Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I38 Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
- J15 Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
- J62 Job, Occupational, and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
- N32 Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: U.S.; Canada: 1913-
- N72 Economic History: Transport, Trade, Energy, Technology, and Other Services: U.S.; Canada: 1913-
- R30 Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location: General