Family socio-economic status and young children's outcomes
| Published date | 10 June 2014 |
| Pages | 83-95 |
| Date | 10 June 2014 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-01-2014-0004 |
| Author | Angela Donkin,Jillian Roberts,Alison Tedstone,Michael Marmot |
Family socio-economic status and young
children’s outcomes
Angela Donkin, Jillian Roberts, Alison Tedstone and Michael Marmot
Angela Donkin is the Deputy
Director, Jillian Roberts is
a Research Fellow and
Sir Michael Marmot is a
Professor, all are based
at UCL Institute of Health
Equity, UCL, London, UK.
Alison Tedstone is the Director
Diet and Obesity, based at
Public Health England,
London, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – This paper was written as part of a suite to inform the Big Lottery Better Start programme and as
such has focused on the outcomes that are of interest to that programme. The authors have also focused
on outcomes for younger children and the zero to three years age group where data are available. There is a
social gradient such that the lower a family’ssocio-economic status (SES) the greater the likelihood that they
have children who are obese, have impaired social and emotional skills, or have impaired language
acquisition. These statistics are clear and undisputed. The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the
reasons for the social gradient in these outcomes. The paper provides some suggestions for actions that
might be taken to redress the inequalities. It follows broader work presented in, for example, the Marmot
(2010) review, Fair Society Healthy Lives.
Design/methodology/approach – Rapid review of the literature building on the work of the Marmot (2010)
review.
Findings – Poor SES is linked with increased stress and a higher likelihoodof being unable to afford to live a
healthy life. These factors can have a negative impact on children’s outcomes. The paper presents some
examples of what can be done.
Originality/value – This should be a useful paper for local authorities trying to reduce inequalities and
improve outcomes.
Keywords Inequalities, Socio-economic status, Children’s outcomes, Social policies, Local authorities,
Big Lottery Better Start programme
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
There is a social gradient such that the lower a family’ssocio-economic status (SES), the greater
the likelihood that they have children who are obese, have impaired social and emotional skills,
and impaired language acquisition. These statistics are clear and undisputed.
In this paper we explore some of the reasons for the social gradient in these outcomes in young
children, and provide some suggestions for actions that might be taken to redress the
inequalities. This paper follows broader work presented in, for example in the Marmot review,
Fair Society Healthy Lives (Marmot, 2010) and An Equal Start (Pordes-Bowers et al., 2012)
A central theme is that parental behaviour is particularly important, for instance in terms of
good nutrition, bonding and positive parenting, and the provision of a stimulating home
environment. However, we demonstrate that there is a socio-economic gradient in these
activ ities. This gradient can be partly explained by the impact that insufficient income can have on
parental stress levels and the impact that this has on parenting behaviours and mental health
(Family Stress model). The gradient can also be partly explained by the ability of parents to pay for
better nutrition, educational resources (including books and toys), housingand higher quality child
care that furthers child development (Investment model). Interventions to improve children’s
outcomes, and reduce inequalities,can mitigate against the impact of socio-economic adversity
and/or try to improve socio-economic circumstances.
DOI 10.1108/JCS-01-2014-0004 VOL. 9 NO. 2 2014, pp. 83-95, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-6660
j
JOURNAL OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES
j
PAGE 83
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