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Self-Esteem and the Reproduction of Social Class
Spencer L James1, Paul R Amato2
1Brigham Young University.
Objective:
Although prior research has demonstrated the multiple pathways through which socioeconomic attainment occurs, one unexplored avenue regards the role of psychological mechanisms such as self-esteem in this process.
Method:
Using three waves of data from the National Survey of Families and Households (N = 1,952), we employed structural equation models to examine the relationship between parenting practices and attitudes, socioeconomic status, offspring's self-esteem, and the likelihood of offspring college attendance.
Results:
Self-esteem was positively related to the likelihood of offspring's college attendance. Additionally, self-esteem was found to be a modest mediator of the relationship between parental educational expectations and parental income, respectively, and the likelihood of offspring completing or being currently enrolled in college.
Conclusion:
Self-esteem may constitute one previously unconsidered mechanism for reproducing the class structure in the United States.
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