Vertical Transmission of Consumption Behavior and the Distribution of Surnames

Abstract

This paper attempts to detect the existence of links in consumption patterns between generations. Preferences for consumption goods may be determined by the preferences of parents and/or by preferences arising from the environment. We propose an indirect methodology to overcome the lack of data on consumption choices of dynasties, i.e., parents and their adult offspring. This new approach is based on the analysis of the correlation between the geographical distributions of surnames and consumption choices. Our results show that there is a significant intergenerational link on consumption patterns for food items but not for the rest of consumption goods.