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Increasing Inequality in Parent Incomes and Children's Schooling
Greg J Duncan1, Ariel Kalil2, Kathleen M Ziol-Guest3
1School of Education, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA. gduncan@uci.edu.
Demography
|August 3, 2017
Summary
Rising income inequality significantly widens the schooling gap for children. Increased family income disparities explain most of the growing educational achievement differences, with maternal age also playing a key role.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Economics
- Education Policy
Background:
- Income inequality and educational achievement gaps in the U.S. have widened significantly since the 1970s.
- The demographic factors contributing to these disparities require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the demographic underpinnings of the growing income-based gap in schooling.
- To quantify the impact of family income, mother's education, family size, family structure, and maternal age on educational attainment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics across 31 cohorts.
- Employed regression-adjusted analyses to assess the associations between demographic factors and schooling outcomes.
Main Results:
- Increases in the income gap accounted for approximately 75% of the widening gap in completed schooling.
- Growing disparities in maternal age at birth significantly contributed to the increasing schooling gap.
- Increasing gaps in two-parent family structures had a minimal impact on the schooling gap.
Conclusions:
- Family income and maternal age are critical demographic factors driving educational disparities.
- Policy interventions addressing income inequality and supporting younger mothers may help reduce educational gaps.
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