Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics
Working Papers in Economics and Statistics,
Linnaeus University, School of Business and Economics, Department of Economics and Statistics
No 1/2026: How Parenting Styles Shape Children’s Lifetime Outcomes
Thomas Dohmen (), Bart Goldsteyn (), Hans Grönqvist (), Edvin Hertegård () and Gerard Pfann ()
Additional contact information
Thomas Dohmen: University of Bonn and Maastricht University
Bart Goldsteyn: Maastricht University, Postal: Department of Economics and Statistics, School of Business and Economics, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, Sweden
Hans Grönqvist: Department of Economics and Statistics, Postal: Department of Economics and Statistics, School of Business and Economics, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, Sweden
Edvin Hertegård: SOFI, Stockholm University
Gerard Pfann: Maastricht University and University of Amsterdam
Abstract: This study examines how parenting styles predict children’s lifetime outcomes. Using a Swedish dataset which combines rich survey information on parenting styles with administrative records tracking children over five decades, we find that authoritarian parenting is negatively associated with children’s long-term success, especially regarding their educational attainment. The results for other parenting styles are more mixed. Authoritarian parenting remains a robust predictor of adverse outcomes even when accounting for ability and family background. We identify children’s knowledge accumulation and parental educational expectations as key mechanisms explaining these results.
Keywords: Child Rearing; Human Capital; Skill Formation
Language: English
34 pages, January 16, 2026
Full text files
26-01_How_Parenting_...ifetime_Outcomes.pdfFull text
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