Children born into poor families are more likely to exhibit aggressive, impulsive behaviors throughout childhood, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.
Previous research connects this type of behavior to a variety of poor outcomes. Children who act out can have trouble making friends, perform poorly in school and show reduced cognitive abilities.
In the long run, these problems can lead to dropping out of school, unemployment and poor financial management.
The researchers also found a connection between economic status at birth and where children grew up.
High poverty rates affect entire communities
Children born into poor families were more likely to misbehave, engaging in behaviors such as throwing tantrums, teasing, fighting, lying and cheating - regardless of whether they lived in neighborhoods with high or low poverty rates.
For children from wealthier families, though, where they grew up mattered.
At age 3, children from wealthier families who lived in high-poverty neighborhoods were about as likely to act out as their peers born into poor families.
The study relied on data from portions of the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, following more than 1,600 children from birth to age 15.
Soobin Kim
"We know that family socioeconomic status affects children's development a lot," said Soobin Kim, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in UGA's School of Social Work. "The major takeaway of this paper is that children born into poor families have consistently higher rates of behavior problems throughout their first 15 years of life than children who were born into not poor families.
"But we also highlight how living in a poor neighborhood can influence kids from wealthier families too."
Being born poor comes with variety of disadvantages
Being born into poverty can have lasting effects on children's lives.
Children from low-income families are less likely to finish school, more likely to experience crime and mental health struggles, and often have limited access to health care services.
These disadvantages can make it incredibly challenging for individuals to break the cycle of poverty as they grow up.
Money problems also exacerbate family stress.
Parents who are worrying about finances are more likely to engage in stricter, more controlling parenting, which may backfire and lead to more acting out. They may also have less time or availability to actively participate in their children's education, which can negatively impact development.
Addressing resource gaps key to leveling playing field
The researchers found children from low-income families consistently exhibit higher levels of problem behaviors throughout their first 15 years compared to kids from higher-income families. However, particularly around age 3, children from higher-income families who lived in low-income neighborhoods exhibited similar levels of problem behaviors.
When children are very young, children and their families are highly affected by the lack of safety and resources … in poor neighborhoods." -Soobin Kim, School of Social Work
"This suggests that when children are very young, children and their families are highly affected by the lack of safety and resources, such as access to day care, quality education and stable jobs, in poor neighborhoods," Kim said. "But once children begin attending school and interacting with other friend groups, the neighborhood's influence on child behavior seems to reduce."
Addressing resource gaps tied to both family income and neighborhood conditions is key to leveling the playing field for children's development, the researchers said.
Expanding programs like Head Start, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program aimed at supporting children's growth and learning, may help curb behavioral differences in early childhood between children born in different socioeconomic circumstances.
For school-aged children, school social workers can play a critical role by fostering stronger peer relationships and promoting a sense of belonging at school.
Additionally, anti-poverty programs aimed at supporting families need to start early to close developmental and environmental gaps between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds, the researchers said.
The study was published in the Journal of Social Service Research. Co-authors include Rafael Engel, Sara Goodkind and Jeffrey Shook.
