Few studies have investigated the causal spillover effects of compulsory education on children's siblings. Using a regression discontinuity method, I find that Hong Kong's 1971 free compulsory primary education policy reduced the dropout probability for the eldest siblings of full policy beneficiaries, especially for children in low-income families. Having younger brothers who were full policy beneficiaries did not affect the elder child's educational attainment. Having younger sisters who were full policy beneficiaries increased the eldest child's educational attainment, especially for the eldest sister. The results shed light on how sibling sex composition might affect intra-household resource allocation of human capital investment among children.

A total of 4,746 Hong Kong students, aged 14-15, participated in the 2000-2001 Health Related Behavior Survey. Results produced by the logistic regression models revealed that non-private housing was significantly associated with ever-use of ecstasy in boys. Moreover, girls in non-private housing were significantly more likely to have been persuaded to use ecstasy, ketamine, and marijuana, as well as to have ever used ecstasy. Furthermore, having older siblings was significantly associated with ever-use of ecstasy in girls. These findings suggest that low family affluence and having older siblings may contribute to exposure to illicit drugs in early adolescence.
[Copyright of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1067828X.2012.709455]