Question

Describe how a person's socioeconomic status (SES) impacts development from toddlerhood through adolescence. (You can approach this question through the lens of U.S. culture or globally.) Provide five (5) examples to illustrate this impact. You must provide at least one example from each chapter (chapters 4 - 8). Explain how each example impacts development.

Answer 1

The socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the prime factors determining the life chances. The most determining impact of SES can be observed in the academic achievement of the children. The low socioeconomic status of a child and its family brings certain disadvantage that can play on the academic achievement. The most primary factor can be reduced access to educational resources. There is a dearth of good schools in the poor neighbourhood as compared to posh neighbourhoods.Moreover, in many poor households, parental education is substandard. The time spent with books is also low in case of low-SES children as they are often left home to fend for themselves and their younger siblings while their caregivers work long hours. They spend more time watching television and are less likely to participate in after-school activities whereas high SES children participate in a lot of after-school activities, as a result, develop a well-rounded personality. Another factor that comes into play is the health and safety issues. The low SES children do not have enough nutritious food to eat and often suffer from malnutrition. There is lack of healthcare facilities for them. As these kids lack in health it is likely to affect their immune system and their ability to concentrate and learn. On the other hand, high SES kids get nutritious food and maintain more proper health and hygiene consequently leading a better life.

The children raised in low socioeconomic status are already at a disadvantage and a step behind than their well-off peers. This difference is evident when these kids enter school. The low SES kids have not received as much cognitive stimulation from their parents in the early childhood years as their affluent peers. Consequently, these kids face underdeveloped cognitive, social, and emotional competence in later childhood.