The 32nd Xi Xian Academic Luncheon, co-hosted by IIDPF and the School of Public Finance and Taxation, was successfully held on 16 June 2023 in Room 119 of Wenqin Building. Associate Professor Deng Weiguang of the School of Economics and Trade, Hunan University, as the guest speaker of the luncheon, gave a keynote speech entitled Do You Like My Parents? Intergenerational Marital Sorting: Evidence from a Field Experiment. The academic salon was hosted by Professor Ye Jingjing of the School of Public Finance and Taxation, with the participation of Associate Professor Yan Weibo, IIDPF's researchers Dr Wan Xin and Dr Gao Sihan, and over thirty other participants.
Studying intergenerational transmission in marital choice usually faces many empirical challenges due to data limitations. Professor Deng Weiguang conducted an experiment using an online dating platform to explore the impact of parental occupation on children's marriage choice. The study shows that, firstly, the higher the social status of parents' occupations, the more likely their children are to have more opportunities for marriage and a higher quality of marriage. Second, individuals who are more privileged have higher expectations of their spouses' parental occupation. Further analysis reveals that the marriage market prefers the spouse's parents to have high income, high social status and low pension costs. At the same time, individuals' preference for spouses with higher social status may affect income inequality and reduce intergenerational mobility during the marriage market selection process.
Professor Deng Weiguang gave a splendid speech to the faculty and students, and at the same time triggered in-depth thinking on the issue of parental occupational preference and intergenerational mobility. In the discussion session, the participating professors exchanged views and discussed related issues. Students also spoke enthusiastically and interacted with each other on the research background and sample selection. This academic salon was successfully concluded. Professor Deng's sharing promoted the communication and interaction of academic views, and created a strong atmosphere of academic research.