The intergenerational transmission of maternal human capital and the gender gap in educational attainment

► The mechanism: intergenerational transmission of maternal human capital. ► It only comes from mothers, who are also the ones who spend time raising children. ► An asymmetry arises that leads to differential male and female education decisions. ► A model using this mechanism explains positive or negative gender education gaps .► More altruism, fewer children or less required child-rearing time explain gap reversal.