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How Social Class Shapes Adolescent Financial Socialization: Understanding Differences in the Transition to Adulthood

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  • Sigrid Luhr

    (University of California, Berkeley)

Abstract

Gaining financial independence is considered a key component of the transition to adulthood. Yet we know little about how adolescents learn to navigate the financial world or how social class shapes this process. Drawing on interviews with 52 parents and adolescents in the United States, this study explored how children learn about finances from their parents. Middle-class parents in the sample were more proactive in teaching their children about finances. Working-class parents, however, often felt unequipped to teach financial skills and were more likely to shelter their children from financial matters. Ultimately, middle-class adolescents felt more at ease when navigating financial institutions, while working-class adolescents expressed greater uncertainty and were left to grapple with imperfect and sometimes contradictory information about finances.

Suggested Citation

  • Sigrid Luhr, 2018. "How Social Class Shapes Adolescent Financial Socialization: Understanding Differences in the Transition to Adulthood," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 457-473, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:39:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s10834-018-9573-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-018-9573-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Jariwala Harsha Vijaykumar, 2022. "The Association of Financial Socialization with Financial Self-Efficacy and Autonomy: A Study of Young Students in India," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 397-414, June.
    4. Ferdi Botha & Barbara Broadway & John P. de New & Clement Wong, 2020. "Financial autonomy among emerging adults in Australia," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2020n30, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
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    6. De Beckker, Kenneth & De Witte, Kristof & Van Campenhout, Geert, 2021. "The effect of financial education on students’ consumer choices: Evidence from a randomized experiment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 962-976.

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