Abstract: Past research in developmental psychology has often focused on families with a relatively strong relation between parental education and family income (i.e., low education and low income or high education and high income). Both education and income play an important role for children’s development, particularly on academic achievement, but their specific mechanisms remain understudied. The purpose of the current study is to examine heterogeneity within low-income yet highly-educated families. In particular, I examine possible explanations for why these families are low income. Second, I examine family’s income trajectories over time in order to differentiate between families experiencing chronic or transient poverty. I will finally discuss the implications of this research in a broader context.

Bio: Lauren Tighe is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Developmental Psychology and Social Work. Broadly, her research focuses on the complexities of socioeconomic status and social inequality across the lifespan. She has a BA and an MSW from the University of Michigan.