Work

The origins of reference groups

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Do individuals choose their reference groups, i.e. their Joneses, or are they culturally transmitted across generations? We provide evidence that feeds the theoretical debate about the origins of reference groups. Our findings for Uruguay suggest that reference groups are largely transmitted across generations and are also shaped by the social environment where individuals live. Our results are robust to several checks and to endogeneity issues. Our analysis of mechanisms shows that transmission is strongest when parents are homogeneous and when the gender of the parent and the offspring is the same. JEL codes: D31, D62, D63, Z13.

Source: The Journal of Economic Inequality

DOI: 10.1007/s10888-026-09742-8

Authors: Martín Leites, Camila Paleo, Xavier Ramos, Gonzalo Salas

Institutions: Universidad de la República de Uruguay, University of California, Santa Barbara, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research

Language: English

Topic: Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290

Funders: Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona