Current research by the Institute for the Study of Labor and the University of Bonn suggests willingness to take risks and to trust others--traits that may lead to economic success--tend to run in families.
Interviewing 3600 families across the socioeconomic spectrum, the researchers found that parents who were willing to take risks had children who were likewise risk-takers. Parents and children were also likely to be risky in the same ways (for example, financially or athletically) and these children in turn, preferred to marry partners with identical attitudes.Findings were similar with regards to trusting others.
Interestingly, Americans in the study were considerably more likely to take risks than Germans, which researchers chalk up to the U.S. being a country of immigrant risk-takers who spread this trait on to their offspring. They further believe these findings may explain why certain families are successful across generations, but also recognize the effects of socioeconomic advantages.
Read more: Study shows: Success is a family affair
FULL TEXT: The Intergenerational Transmission of Risk and Trust Attitudes (PDF)
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