Do Parents Propagate Inequality Among Children? Evidence From Chinese and Swedish Twins
利用中国和瑞典的双胞胎数据，研究发现两国父母在子女童年期投资相似，但生前转移差异显著：中国父母倾向于加剧收入不平等，而瑞典父母则平均分配；遗产在两国均平等分配。父母教育水平是关键因素。
ABSTRACT Economists have long studied how parental behavior shapes within‐family inequality, yet empirical findings remain mixed. Using twins data from China and Sweden, we examine the predominant mechanisms reported in the literature. Parents in both countries invest similarly during childhood. Inter vivos transfers, however, differ: Chinese parents reinforce income inequality, whereas Swedish parents distribute wealth equally; the reinforcing pattern reflects exchange motives. Bequests are divided equally in both countries. Parental education plays a key role: less educated parents reinforce income inequality, whereas more educated parents transfer wealth equally. Cross‐country differences in parental education may thus help explain the mixed findings.