BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ĢƵ//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence S.J.D. van Alten METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20250115T154500 DTEND:20250115T171500 DTSTAMP:20250115T154500 UID:2025/phd-defence-s-j-d-van-alt@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20250507T102849 LOCATION:(1st floor) Auditorium, Main building De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence S.J.D. van Alten X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

ĢƵ

Genetics, Human Capital Formation and the Intergenerational Transmission of Socioeconomic St atus

How genes and environment together explain inequality of opportunity

Why are children from affluent parents often succ essful themselves? Research by VU economist Sjoerd van Alten reveals that not only genetics play a role, but also the upbringing environme nt created by parents.

The role of genetics in intergeneration al inequality

Inequality of opportunity is a topic that receiv es considerable social and political attention. New research by Van A lten concludes that parental genes have a significant impact on the e ducation, income, and wealth of their children in adulthood.

Wh at makes this research unique is the identification of two ways in wh ich genetics influence the transfer of opportunities across generatio ns. First, there is the direct mechanism: parents pass on genes to th eir children, which affect their predispositions and skills, such as cognitive abilities and personality traits. For instance, high intell igence, which is partially determined by genetics, can directly contr ibute to better academic performance.

Second, there is an indir ect mechanism, where parental genes contribute to the environment in which children grow up. An example of this is that parents with a str ong work ethic (a trait that may be partly genetic) are more likely t o create a stimulating learning environment for their children, such as having a home filled with books or dedicating more time and resour ces to their children’s education.

Key lessons for practice< /h3>

The findings of the research have significant implications for policymakers and approaches to inequality. The study demonstrates th at genetics and the environment in which a person grows up are deeply interconnected. This means that policy interventions, such as improv ing upbringing conditions, can significantly reduce inequality of opp ortunity.

“While genetic factors play an important role, modi fying the environment in which children grow up is a powerful tool to reduce inequality,” Van Alten emphasizes. By taking both genetics and behavioral preferences into account, policymakers can develop mor e effective strategies and mitigate the impact of genetic differences .

More information on the

DESCRIPTION:

How genes and environment together explain inequality of opportunity

Why are children from affluent parents often suc cessful themselves? Research by VU economist Sjoerd van Alten reveals that not only genetics play a role, but also the upbringing environm ent created by parents.

The role of genetics in intergenerational inequality

Inequality of opportunity is a topic that receives c onsiderable social and political attention. New research by Van Alten concludes that parental genes have a significant impact on the educa tion, income, and wealth of their children in adulthood. What makes t his research unique is the identification of two ways in which geneti cs influence the transfer of opportunities across generations. First, there is the direct mechanism: parents pass on genes to their childr en, which affect their predispositions and skills, such as cognitive abilities and personality traits. For instance, high intelligence, wh ich is partially determined by genetics, can directly contribute to b etter academic performance. Second, there is an indirect mechanism, w here parental genes contribute to the environment in which children g row up. An example of this is that parents with a strong work ethic ( a trait that may be partly genetic) are more likely to create a stimu lating learning environment for their children, such as having a home filled with books or dedicating more time and resources to their chi ldren’s education.

Key lessons for practice

The findings o f the research have significant implications for policymakers and app roaches to inequality. The study demonstrates that genetics and the e nvironment in which a person grows up are deeply interconnected. This means that policy interventions, such as improving upbringing condit ions, can significantly reduce inequality of opportunity. “While ge netic factors play an important role, modifying the environment in wh ich children grow up is a powerful tool to reduce inequality,” Van Alten emphasizes. By taking both genetics and behavioral preferences into account, policymakers can develop more effective strategies and mitigate the impact of genetic differences. More information on the < a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1871.1/51010e48-fb40-4e09-b8c4-5838ca7 d3a88" data-new-window="true" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferre r">thesis Genetics, Human Capital Formation and the Intergenerati onal Transmission of Socioeconomic Status END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR