Work

Hidden patterns of inequality: The heterogeneity in parenting within educational groups

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Sociological research and theorizing tend to focus on the heterogeneity among the socioeconomically advantaged thus representing the socioeconomically disadvantaged as homogeneous. This study is a case of the opposite. For at set of high-stake cultural practices, parental strategies for social reproduction, I find most heterogeneity among socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers. Using data from the NLSY-CYA, I provide novel descriptive statistics of the variance in parenting by maternal education and analyze the determinants of these differences employing a variance function regression. I find an educational gradient in the heterogeneity of cognitively stimulating parenting: the variance is highest among mothers with no high school diploma and shrinks among mothers with more education. That is, mothers with the least amount of education show the most diversity in parenting. This educational gradient is associated with inequality in mothers’ family of origin, cognitive skills, and current economic situation. This result suggests that the systematic differences in heterogeneity stems from social inequality. Moreover, educators and social workers should be prepared to meet much more heterogeneity in parenting among mothers with the least amount of education.

Source: Poetics

DOI: 10.1016/j.poetic.2024.101941

Author: Asta Breinholt

Institution: Roskilde University

Language: English

Topic: Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education, Gender equality

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,090