Fix your attitude: Labor-market consequences of poor attitude and low self-esteem in youth
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Date
2003-09
Authors
Waddell, Glen R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon, Dept of Economics
Abstract
Using longitudinal data on a cohort of high-school graduates, I show that individuals who reveal poor attitudes and low self-esteem as high-school students attain fewer years of post-secondary education relative to their high-school cohort, are less likely to be employed for pay fourteen years following high school and, where working for pay, realize lower earnings. Further, I find evidence that poor attitude and esteem in high school are significant predictors of the degree of supervision under which individuals ultimately work. Poor attitude and esteem in youth are also closely associated with jobs that require individuals to spend their time working more with things, as opposed to people, for example. These relationships suggest that real economic consequence exist in fostering positive attitude and esteem in youth.
Description
Keywords
Labor and demographic economics, Wages, compensation, and labor costs, Time allocation, work behavior, and employment determination and creation, Time allocation and labor supply (Hours of work, part-time employment, work sharing, absenteeism, quits), High school students -- Psychology