Family Attachment and the Decision to Move by Race

Author/Editor:

Antonio Spilimbergo ; Luis Ubeda

Publication Date:

May 1, 2002

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Blacks in the United States have a lower geographic mobility rates than whites even though they have several characteristics that are usually associated with high rates of mobility: high unemployment, low rate of home ownership, low marriage rate and settlement in areas where unemployment is high. This paper tests the relevance of family ties in explaining mobility by using proxies that are constructed using data from the University of Michigan’s Panel Study of Income Dynamics, covering the period 1977–88. The results are robust to different specifications and estimation techniques, and explain the puzzle of the role played by the nuclear and the extended family in the decision to move.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2002/083

Subject:

Education Labor Labor markets Migration National accounts Personal income Population and demographics Unemployment Unemployment rate

English

Publication Date:

May 1, 2002

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451850550/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0832002

Pages:

21

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