Social Isolation and Inequality

23 Pages Posted: 30 Apr 2004

See all articles by Andrew Postlewaite

Andrew Postlewaite

University of Pennsylvania - Department of Economics

Dan Silverman

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Economics Department; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: April 27, 2004

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in the concept of social exclusion and the related concept of social isolation and their potential role in understanding inequality. We examine the degree to which voluntary separation from social activities during adolescence affects adult wages. It is well-known that participation in high school athletic programs leads to higher adult wages. We present empirical evidence that this premium is not primarily due to selection on predetermined characteristics valued in the labor market.

Note: An updated version of this abstract can be found at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=643543

Keywords: Decision making, Bayesian, Behavioral Economics

JEL Classification: D81

Suggested Citation

Postlewaite, Andrew and Silverman, Dan, Social Isolation and Inequality (April 27, 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=536184 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.536184

Andrew Postlewaite (Contact Author)

University of Pennsylvania - Department of Economics ( email )

Ronald O. Perelman Center for Political Science
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HOME PAGE: http://www.econ.upenn.edu/~apostlew

Dan Silverman

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Economics Department ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.econ.lsa.umich.edu/

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