For youth of all backgrounds, the future can look bright with the right support and influences. But research makes clear that students from low-income families are statistically much less likely to attend college and attain a living-wage career.
A 2016 study by researchers in the Equality of Opportunity Project demonstrated that the percent of children earning more than their parents has been declining since 1940, landing at the current all-time low of just 50%. Although this isn’t good news for any of our children, it is particularly discouraging for youth living in poverty.
For middle class families that earn enough to support themselves and make ends meet, their children are likely to do the same.