Income, financial and socio-economic status of a family plays a huge part in the formation of child's personality. Parents who earn less engage with the kids in a different way which can cause a difference in how children perceive themselves. These in turn causes inequality to take a toll, affecting the cognitive skills and mental well-being of children.
In the report "Changes in Income-based Gaps in Parent Activities with Young Children from 1988-2012", an extensive study was undertaken to investigate this difference and what the trend has been for the past 25 years. The report gave surprising results. Regarding library membership and owning books that are especially for children, the gap (income based) decreased.
However, if we use parents reading to children and storytelling as indicators, the gap followed an increasing trend. According to AERA, the co-author of the report, Ariel Khalil showed that the results were 'mixed' and demonstrated how the learning environment had affected child's wellbeing and cognitive skills over the span of 25 years.
But at the same time, it is very active and impressive how the low-income bracket is trying to cope up with the differences and are making efforts to minimize them. But in shool activities, it can be seen that the high-income bracket dominates. They are ahead of their fellow peers as they are a lot more confident and secure in themselves.
These can be due to two possible reasons: Number one being that the privileged class has more time to spend with their children. They see that time as an investment, and as they are the recipient of affection, love, and attention, it boosts their self-confidence. Secondly, the higher income bracket can afford the leisure activities. They are more often engaged in them, which is why their kids enjoy doing and investing time in extra cocurricular activities in school.
