The influence of maternal life transitions and financial strain on adolescents' educational and occupational attainment

Abstract

This study utilizes the family life course development framework to explore two research questions on how exposure to maternal life transitions and fluctuations in financial strain experienced during early adolescence influence adolescents' educational and occupational status attainment six years later. Three waves of longitudinal data from the Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study (1999–2006; N = 509) and multinomial logistic regressions were used to delve into these questions for a sample of African-American and Hispanic youth growing up in low-income urban areas of the United States. Results found that adolescents' educational status was predicted by mothers' transitions into or out of a union and the interaction between changes in financial strain and welfare transitions. Adolescents' occupational status was predicted by the interaction of financial strain and the mother being stably separated. The results illustrate how experiences of low-income families post-welfare reform can influence the successful status attainment of the adolescent, and highlight the need for educational, vocational, or life skills training programs for low-income adolescents. ► Integration of family life course, family stress, and welfare frameworks. ► Financial strain changes linked to mothers' employment and relationship transitions. ► Adolescents' attainment negatively influenced by mothers' relationship transitions. ► Adolescents' attainment negatively influenced by higher financial strain.