This paper exploits an unusual policy reform that had the effect of reducing the direct cost of schooling in Ireland in the late 1960s. This gave rise to an increased level of schooling but with effects that vary substantially across family background. This interaction of educational reform and...

This paper models the probability of 15-year-old children missing school or being late. The paper sets out to uncover the effects of family background and birth order on attendance. Looking at birth order effects allows one to test Sulloway’s “Born to Rebel” hypothesis that older siblings...

This paper uses two sets of cross-country micro datasets to analyse individuals’ participation in voluntary and community activities and organisations. Analysing countries in the International Adult Literacy Survey and focusing on the impact of human capital I find a consistently positive...