期刊-NBER美国国民经济研究局-2008number4_68页_1mb

报告摘要

NBER Reporter Summary - 2008 Number 4

Core Content

The NBER Reporter issue from 2008 Number 4 highlights the Program on Children, a research initiative within the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) that focuses on the economic aspects of children's well-being. The report outlines the research contributions of the program's members across several key areas, including intergenerational linkages, early childhood experiences, fertility and family structure, child health, children in developing countries, public policies and child welfare, risky behaviors among youth, and education.

The NBER is a private, nonprofit research organization established in 1920, dedicated to objective quantitative analysis of the American economy. The report lists the officers and directors of the NBER, including the President and CEO (James M. Poterba), Controller (Kelly Horak), and a board of directors composed of individuals from various academic and professional backgrounds.

Main Topics and Research Highlights

Intergenerational Linkages

Parental behavior significantly affects child outcomes.
Maternal time inputs to newborns are influenced by employment and maternity leave policies.
Education and income of parents are linked to child mortality, test scores, and long-term earnings.
Obesity and health outcomes show intergenerational correlations.
Legislators with daughters are more likely to support women's rights than those with sons.

Long-Run Impacts of Early Childhood Life Events

Child health conditions in early life affect educational attainment, welfare participation, and long-term health.
Negative childhood shocks, such as lead exposure or malnutrition, have long-term detrimental effects.
Malaria eradication in India led to literacy and education improvements.
Early exposure to radiation from the Chernobyl accident had negative impacts on schooling outcomes in Sweden.

Fertility and Family Structure

Government subsidies for childbirth in Israel increased fertility rates.
Family planning services reduced teen births and improved long-term outcomes.
Abortion rates are linked to improved educational and family outcomes.
Child labor in developing countries decreased with income transfers and free trade.
Family resource shifts from men to women improved nutrition and education for children.

Child Health

Public insurance policies are crucial for child health access.
Childcare subsidies increased labor supply but had negative behavioral effects on children.
Preschool programs improved test scores in the short term but led to behavioral problems in the long run.
Head Start was found to reduce child mortality and provide cost-benefit advantages.
Air pollution reduction in California saved over 1000 infant lives.
Unhealthy food policies in financially strained schools led to increased BMI among youth.

Children in Developing Countries

Field experiments are increasingly used to assess policy impacts on child welfare.
Cash transfers in Colombia improved school attendance and graduation rates.
Remedial education in India led to test-score improvements.
Teacher incentives in India improved attendance and student outcomes.
Merit scholarships in Kenya led to long-lasting academic gains.
Family planning in Colombia reduced fertility and improved education and income for young women.

Public Policies and Child Welfare

Welfare reform led to increased spending on work-related items but not on child enrichment.
Family caps on welfare benefits had limited impact on fertility.
Child SSI program increased household income and reduced child poverty.
WIC program had limited impact on fetal growth.
Childcare subsidies in Quebec increased childcare use and maternal labor supply, but had negative behavioral effects.
Preschool exposure to television was found to increase test scores, while violent movies were linked to increased youth violence.

Risky Behaviors Among and Around Youth

Youth criminal behavior is influenced by incentives, peer influence, and attractiveness.
Volatility in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking.
Increased alcohol use among teens leads to lower contraceptive use and higher STD rates.
Binge drinking is associated with lower graduation rates and poorer academic performance.
Legal drinking age is linked to sharp increases in mortality.
Suicidal urges among youth reduce investment in work and education.
Exposure to violent peers increases youth violence.
Affirmative action removal led to reduced minority college admissions.

Education

School accountability and choice are major policy areas.
Performance tracking in schools is associated with improved student outcomes.
Same-gender teachers improve student performance.
Segregation in schools is linked to wider achievement gaps.
In-state tuition in D.C. increased college attendance in Maryland and Virginia.
Recession during college graduation is linked to long-term earnings decline.
Financial incentives in Canada improved female student outcomes.
Shift from loans to grants in U.S. colleges led to acceptance of lower-paying jobs.
Tax-subsidized savings accounts for college have both pros and cons.

Key Information

The Children's Program has seen significant growth in membership and research output.
The impact of early life conditions on child outcomes is a central theme, with long-term consequences.
Public policy plays a critical role in shaping child development and well-being.
Management practices are being studied as a determinant of productivity, with a new methodology using double-blind surveys.
The reporter is issued for informational purposes and is not copyrighted, allowing free reproduction with proper attribution.

Conclusion

The 2008 issue of the NBER Reporter provides a comprehensive overview of the Children's Program and its research contributions over the past four years. It emphasizes the importance of public policy, early childhood experiences, and intergenerational effects in shaping child well-being. The report also touches on management and productivity, highlighting the need for better data and policy implications. The findings are policy-relevant and important for understanding the economic and social determinants of child outcomes both in the United States and globally.