Family Background and Environmental Awareness: Evidence from TIMSS 2023 Among U.S. Eighth-Grade Students

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Abstract

This study investigates how family background shapes environmental awareness among U.S. eighth-grade students, drawing on nationally representative data from TIMSS 2023. Guided by Bourdieu’s cultural capital theory, we examine five indicators: number of books at home, parental education, home educational resources, immigration family background, and food security. Stepwise ordinary least squares (OLS) regression reveals that only book access is significantly associated with higher environmental awareness. Other background factors show no significant direct effect. These findings underscore the role of objectified cultural capital in shaping students’ values and highlight the importance of literacy-rich home environments. The study contributes to equity-centered environmental education by demonstrating how early home inequalities influence youth engagement with sustainability issues.

Authors

• Renda Sun, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Neil Potnis, Teachers College, Columbia University