Peer relations and socioeconomic status and inequality

New Dir Child Adolesc Dev. 2020 Sep;2020(173):27-37. doi: 10.1002/cad.20381. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Abstract

Although peer relations are recognized as a fundamental developmental context, they have been rarely studied as a means of understanding the effects of socioeconomic status and inequality. In this paper, we show how and why peer relations provide a unique and powerful opportunity to assess the differential risks and resources available in the peer system to children and adolescents from different SES spectra. We argue that research on the intersection between SES and peer relations will enrich both these domains of study.

Keywords: friendship; peer relations; socioeconomic inequality; socioeconomic status; well-being.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Development*
  • Child
  • Child Development*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Peer Group*
  • Social Class*