National Adult Literacy Database

Education is an important determinant of one's position in society, affecting a person's participation in the community and likely success in the labor market. The inherited intellectual capital of the family - forged over the years by generations of family members' achievements at school and work - often plays a large role in a child's educational achievement. It can contribute directly to a child's education by providing a more or a less supportive environment for learning, and can contribute indirectly by paving the way for a higher level of educational attainment. This article assesses the role of inherited intellectual capital in children's acquisition of postsecondary education.