Does the welfare state eliminate the intergenerational effects of unemployment? A close look at the effects of parental unemployment on the school and occupational opportunities of children

Abstract

In this paper a Dutch study on the effects of parental unemployment on the school and occupational opportunities of children is discussed. The conclusions are that, in general, parental unemployment has no severe effects on the child's school career. Moreover, when only one parent is unemployed, unemployment does not affect the child's school achievement at all. However, going from the general to the specific, the results are somewhat different. The general pattern does not hold true for children of parents with very little education who are both unemployed. In an environment which is vulnerable as it is, unemployment increases deprivation. In such a situation, features of what O. Lewis called 'a culture of poverty' occur. Considering these re search findings, the author states that it may be wise not to exaggerate or dramatise the situation of children of parents who become unemployed these days. It may be much wiser to concentrate on the prevention of long-term unemployment and on maintaining a high level of welfare arrangements and arrangements that take care of children at risk (e.g. providing free access to day-care centers).