Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 125-149 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 30 Sept 2015 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2016 |
Abstract
This paper analyzes whether individuals have equal opportunity to achieve happiness (or well-being). We estimate sibling correlations and intergenerational correlations in self-reported life satisfaction, satisfaction with household income, job satisfaction, and satisfaction with health. We find high sibling correlations for all measures of well-being. The results suggest that family background explains, on average, between 30% and 60% of the inequality in permanent well-being. The influence is smaller when the siblings' psychological and geographical distance from their parental home is larger. Results from intergenerational correlations suggest that parental characteristics are considerably less important than family and community factors.
Keywords
- family background, intergenerational mobility, subjective well-being
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Economics, Econometrics and Finance(all)
- Economics and Econometrics
- Economics, Econometrics and Finance(all)
- Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous)
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In: B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy, Vol. 16, No. 1, 01.01.2016, p. 125-149.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Are We Architects of Our Own Happiness? the Importance of Family Background for Well-Being
AU - Schnitzlein, Daniel D.
AU - Wunder, Christoph
PY - 2016/1/1
Y1 - 2016/1/1
N2 - This paper analyzes whether individuals have equal opportunity to achieve happiness (or well-being). We estimate sibling correlations and intergenerational correlations in self-reported life satisfaction, satisfaction with household income, job satisfaction, and satisfaction with health. We find high sibling correlations for all measures of well-being. The results suggest that family background explains, on average, between 30% and 60% of the inequality in permanent well-being. The influence is smaller when the siblings' psychological and geographical distance from their parental home is larger. Results from intergenerational correlations suggest that parental characteristics are considerably less important than family and community factors.
AB - This paper analyzes whether individuals have equal opportunity to achieve happiness (or well-being). We estimate sibling correlations and intergenerational correlations in self-reported life satisfaction, satisfaction with household income, job satisfaction, and satisfaction with health. We find high sibling correlations for all measures of well-being. The results suggest that family background explains, on average, between 30% and 60% of the inequality in permanent well-being. The influence is smaller when the siblings' psychological and geographical distance from their parental home is larger. Results from intergenerational correlations suggest that parental characteristics are considerably less important than family and community factors.
KW - family background
KW - intergenerational mobility
KW - subjective well-being
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84954424130&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1515/bejeap-2015-0037
DO - 10.1515/bejeap-2015-0037
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84954424130
VL - 16
SP - 125
EP - 149
JO - B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy
JF - B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy
SN - 1935-1682
IS - 1
ER -