Adolescent Work Intensity and Youth Development: Links Vary by Family Income

• In Event: 60.083 - Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: 60.083-1 - Adolescents, Parents, and Peers: Patterns and Issues

Abstract

Research suggests that the relations between adolescent employment and developmental outcomes differ according to family background. Using data from the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS), this study examines whether the links between varying levels of work intensity and several youth developmental outcomes, including peer group, college aspirations, and educational outcomes, vary by family income. Results show that for students who are not living in poverty, high-intensity work is associated with an increase in friendship with high school dropouts and a decrease in homework hours, math achievement, and educational attainment. However, for students from very low-income families, high-intensity work is either unrelated to youth outcomes or linked with positive outcomes.

Author

• NaYoung Hwang, University of California - Irvine