Impact of Individuals’ and Peers’ Socioeconomic Status on Academic Achievement

Abstract

Modern day education is a focal point of public discussion. As media platforms develop, people become growingly aware of the disparities in education between people of different socioeconomic status. This review examines the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on academic achievement, exploring how both individual and peer SES contribute to education outcomes. The analysis contains insights from an array of studies to create a comprehensive understanding of the ways socioeconomic factors shape learning experiences and performance. This review encompasses the multiple components of SES—race, family wealth, parental education, and occupation from both an individual standpoint and a peer perspective, aiming to elucidate how these factors provide or limit access to educational resources and opportunities. This review found that SES has varying degrees of influence on many aspects of academic performance, and then argues for policy interventions that aim to equalize opportunities. It advocates for initiatives that promote socioeconomic integration and resource distribution within educational institutions to counteract the disparities in academic achievement.