How economic inequality shapes mobility expectations and behaviour in disadvantaged youth

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Economics
• Psychology

Background:

• Economic inequality negatively impacts younger generations, especially those from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds.
• Social scientists have studied this issue, but economics and psychology have largely proceeded in parallel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline complementary theoretical models from economics and psychology regarding economic inequality's impact on young people.
• To integrate interdisciplinary methods for a cohesive framework on socioeconomic opportunity and upward mobility.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of theoretical models and empirical evidence from economics and psychology.
• Interdisciplinary integration of economic and psychological perspectives.

Main Results:

• Both disciplines highlight that inequality erodes belief in socioeconomic opportunity.
• Reduced belief in opportunity discourages low-SES youth from engaging in upward mobility behaviors (e.g., education, avoiding early pregnancy).

Conclusions:

• An interdisciplinary framework provides a more complete understanding of economic inequality's effects.
• Policy recommendations derived from this unified approach can advance mobility prospects for low-SES youth.