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Growing up in poor neighborhoods: how much does it matter?
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 17, 1989
Summary
School and neighborhood socioeconomic and racial composition have limited impact on children's life outcomes. Research shows weak evidence for effects on academic achievement, graduation, crime, and employment, with a notable exception for increased teenage pregnancy rates in poor neighborhoods.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Education Policy
- Public Health
Background:
- Children's life chances are influenced by their environment.
- Socioeconomic and racial school/neighborhood composition are key environmental factors.
- Existing research provides mixed evidence on the extent of this influence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on the impact of school and neighborhood socioeconomic and racial composition on children's life chances.
- To synthesize evidence regarding specific outcomes such as college attendance, academic achievement, graduation rates, crime, and labor market experience.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of research studies.
- Analysis of evidence on the effects of social mix in schools and neighborhoods.
- Examination of outcomes across different age groups and demographic factors.
Main Results:
- High school's social mix has minimal effect on college attendance and white students' academic achievement.
- Evidence is weak regarding socioeconomic mix effects on elementary student achievement, high school graduation, crime, and early employment.
- Growing up in impoverished neighborhoods is linked to higher black teenage pregnancy rates.
Conclusions:
- The impact of school and neighborhood socioeconomic and racial composition on many child outcomes is less significant than often assumed.
- Targeted interventions may be needed to address specific disparities, such as teenage pregnancy rates in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
- Further research is needed to clarify the nuanced relationships between environmental factors and child development.
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