Parental Occupation More Influential Than Education on Children's Academic Success, Study Finds

A new study by the Taub Center's Shoresh Institution reveals that a parent's occupation has a stronger predictive effect on their children's academic achievements than their level of education. The research, based on data from 10,336 15-year-old students who participated in the PISA exams between 2012 and 2022, found that parental occupation accounted for approximately 45% of the explained achievement gaps among students, while parental education explained only about 21%.

The study, conducted by Ariela Saban, Professor Ilan Kamchi, and Professor Dan Ben-David, analyzed students whose parents were both employed. It specifically noted that fathers' occupations were linked to higher performance in reading, math, and science. Children of fathers working in science, research, technology, engineering, finance, accounting, economics, health, and medicine showed significantly higher scores compared to those in basic occupations. For instance, children of fathers in academia, science, and research scored about 7.3% higher, and those in technology, information, and software scored 6.8% higher.

In contrast, mothers' occupations showed a more pronounced connection to reading achievement. Notably, children of mothers working as early childhood educators or teaching assistants exhibited lower academic performance. Children of early childhood educators scored about 4.6% lower, and those with mothers as teaching assistants scored 2.2% lower, compared to the baseline group of children whose fathers were in basic occupations. The researchers emphasized that this correlation does not imply causation, and other socioeconomic factors may be at play, particularly given the lower salaries in these female-dominated professions.

Further analysis within parental education revealed a reversed pattern: mothers' education explained about 17% of the achievement gaps, whereas fathers' education explained only 4%. The researchers suggest that while socioeconomic status is a known factor in academic success, the nature of a parent's occupation might offer more than just financial resources, potentially providing qualitative educational support or guidance. They also posited that current educational measurements might overlook differences in the quality of higher education that lead to different career paths.

Professor Kamchi highlighted that children enter the education system with varying starting points, and the system's role is to minimize the impact of family background on their achievements to ensure equal opportunities and intergenerational mobility.