Social Networks and Educational Opportunity in a Mixed-Income Neighborhood

• In Event: Schools, Neighborhoods, and the Geography of Educational Opportunity

Abstract

Connectedness, measured through social network ties, is associated with economic mobility, moving out of poverty, and greater educational opportunities (Chetty et al., 2022). Yet, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms that produce these benefits. Given that communities and institutions (e.g., schools, workplaces), remain highly segregated by race and class (Frankenberg, 2013; Hellerstein & Neumark, 2008; Holme & Finnigan, 2018), it is also not clear how much of the benefit of economic connectedness is derived from personal social network contact as opposed to concentrated poverty or wealth within neighborhoods. Our objective in this study is to determine how and why economic connectedness shapes educational opportunities and outcomes in a mixed-income neighborhood.

Authors

• Sarah Winchell Lenhoff, Wayne State University

• Huriya Jabbar, University of Southern California

• DeMarcus A Jenkins, University of Pennsylvania

• Kara S. Finnigan, University of Michigan