Citation

Matsumoto B. Am. Econ. Rev. 2018; 108(4-5): 1253-1255.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Economic Association)

DOI

10.1257/aer.20161124

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The empirical methodology used by Persson and Rossin-Slater (2018) to estimate the causal effect of in utero exposure to stress contains a potentially significant flaw. They define the control group in a way that may bias their causal estimates and can lead to the finding of a significant relationship when there is none. In this note, I describe the source of the bias and suggest an alternative specification of the control group.

Language: en

Keywords

Child Care; Children; Domestic Abuse, Fertility; Family Planning; Family Structure; Health Behavior, Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Youth