Measures for Studying Poverty in Family and Child Research

Abstract

Most family scholars take the concept of poverty for granted. The variety of ways people have chosen to define and measure this concept, however, often makes it difficult to interpret or compare research results. We review and critique the ways that poverty has been measured in the family and child literatures as well as the measures that have been used to help understand variations in adaptation among those in poverty. In addition to reviewing more common measures, we include discussions of two new measures that have the potential to contribute to the literature on poverty: basic family budgets and social exclusion.

Educational Progress and Parenting Among Mexican Immigrant Mothers of Young Children

“…Categorical strategies are often used to reduce nonresponse on surveys, which is important given that individuals in low-income or immigrant populations may be unwilling or unable to estimate their incomes (Roosa, Deng, Nair, & Burrell, 2005). The baseline reports measured income.…”

Demographic Marginalization, Social Integration, and Adolescents’ Educational Success

“…In contrast to race/ethnicity, the categories of which are well-established in the U.S. (although sometimes contested; see Harris and Sim 2002), there exists a long and vibrant debate among scholars regarding how to measure poverty and social class (see Diemer et al 2013;Roosa et al 2005 for reviews). Such discussions become more complicated when considering how students perceive and classify their own and their peers' social class.…”

Parenting in low-income families from the perspective of social work

“…Their research indicates that these children are more frequently diagnosed with behavioral disorders. Roos, Nair, Deng and Burrell [8] found that children coming from low-income families have a higher likelihood of health problems, which manifest themselves in the first year of age compared to children from wealthy families. Their health condition is caused by insufficient and inadequate diet.…”

“…Roos, Nair, Deng and Burrell [8] found that longterm poverty increases the probability of nonconformity in children, resulting in problems of dealing with the difficult situation in adolescence. In economically disadvantaged families, parents seldom appreciate developmental achievements and abilities of their children.…”