Janice Lozano
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a measure of an individual's access to financial, social, cultural, and human capital resources. For students, SES is often used to examine influences on student learning and achievement. SES can be measured in a variety of ways, but researchers have largely settled on three components as the basis for student SES measurement: parental education, parental occupation, and family income. However, these measures are often limited and outdated, especially for students with non-traditional family structures. To address this issue, researchers have developed more inclusive survey questions that account for the diversity of students' housing arrangements and family structures. These surveys focus on household composition, caregiver education, and caregiver employment, allowing students to identify their caregivers and provide information about their unique circumstances. By embracing a layered approach and considering multiple dimensions, surveys can capture a fuller picture of a student's socioeconomic status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Household composition | Number of household members, number of adults and children, relationships, and non-family residents |
| Housing | Type of dwelling, ownership status, monthly housing cost, access to utilities, neighborhood safety |
| Employment | Current employment status, contract type, job tenure, number of job transitions, primary industry |
| Income | Household income, family income |
| Education | Highest level of education, parental education, caregiver education |
| Occupation | Parental occupation |
| Other | Access to transportation, internet connectivity, eligibility for free or reduced-price meals |
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What You'll Learn
Household composition and income
Firstly, it is essential to identify all members of the student's household. This includes not only immediate family members but also extended family and other adults who may be living in the same household or contributing to the student's socioeconomic resources. This is important because, in today's diverse family structures, it is common for individuals other than the biological mother and father to provide financial and emotional support. By acknowledging this, the survey can capture a more accurate picture of the student's household composition and the resources available to them.
Secondly, the survey should inquire about the student's caregivers. This may involve asking students to identify their caregivers by name or relationship and providing space for them to specify multiple caregivers if relevant. Understanding who the student considers to be their caregiver(s) is crucial, as it allows for more meaningful questions about caregiver education and employment, which are key indicators of socioeconomic status.
Additionally, the survey should collect information about the student's household income. This may include questions about the total household income, as well as the sources of income, such as parental or caregiver employment, investments, or other sources. It is important to recognize that income can fluctuate over time, so the survey may also inquire about any changes in income or financial stability over a specific period.
Furthermore, the survey can explore the student's household expenses and financial obligations. This may include questions about housing costs, such as rent or mortgage payments, as well as other household expenses such as utilities, transportation, or education fees. By understanding the financial commitments of the household, the survey can gain insights into the disposable income available to the family and the overall economic well-being of the student's household.
Lastly, it is important to recognize that household composition and income are dynamic and can change over time. Therefore, the survey should allow students to provide information about any changes in their household circumstances, such as the addition or departure of household members, changes in caregivers, or significant variations in income. This ensures that the survey captures a holistic and up-to-date understanding of the student's socioeconomic status.
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Parental education and occupation
When surveying the socioeconomic status of international students, it is important to acknowledge that traditional survey questions may not be well-suited to students with non-traditional family structures. For instance, a student may have multiple caregivers or live in more than one household. Thus, it is recommended to use the term "caregiver" instead of "mother" or "father" in survey questions.
To survey the parental education and occupation of international students, the following strategies can be employed:
Identify Caregivers
Firstly, it is important to identify the student's caregivers. This can be done by asking the student to specify the members of their household and identify their caregivers from within that list. This allows for a more inclusive survey that captures the diversity of family structures.
Ask About Caregiver Education
Once the caregivers have been identified, questions can be asked about their educational background. For example, "What is the highest level of education completed by your [caregiver's name]?" This approach allows for more accurate responses, as students may find it easier to answer questions about their caregivers' education when the questions include the titles of their specific caregivers.
Include Household Possession Questions
In addition to questions about parental education, including queries about home possessions can provide a better measure of socioeconomic status. This is because home possessions data can offer a more comparable measure of wealth across different countries and cultures. For instance, questions could ask about the presence of specific items, such as a place to study or an encyclopedia.
Consider Alternative Measures
To properly measure student socioeconomic status in a diverse social landscape, alternative measures beyond parental education may be needed. For example, parental occupation and family income are also important factors to consider. By collecting information on these various aspects, a more comprehensive understanding of the student's socioeconomic status can be achieved.
Address Discrepancies
It is important to acknowledge that there may be discrepancies between student and parent responses to survey questions. For instance, a study found low correlations between student and parent responses regarding the presence of a specific place to study and the mother's occupation. Thus, it is crucial to carefully consider the accuracy of the data collected and address any potential limitations.
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Housing status and expenses
Household Composition and Size
- How many people live in your household, including yourself?
- Who are the other members of your household (e.g., parent, spouse, sibling, etc.)?
- Are you living with caregivers or other adults who provide financial and emotional support?
- Do you live in more than one household or have multiple caregivers?
Dwelling Type and Ownership Status
- What type of dwelling do you live in (house, apartment, mobile home, etc.)?
- Are you or your family members homeowners, or do you rent?
- If renting, what is your monthly housing cost?
Housing Challenges and Neighbourhood Safety
- Do you experience any challenges with utilities or basic services?
- How would you rate the safety of your neighbourhood?
Housing Suitability and Affordability
- Are there any cultural differences or language barriers that make it difficult to find suitable and affordable housing?
- Are you familiar with the local housing system, regulations, and rental market?
- Have you ever lived in unsuitable housing, and if so, what were the reasons for this?
These questions will provide valuable insights into the housing status and expenses of international students, allowing for a better understanding of their socioeconomic circumstances.
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Caregiver employment
Socioeconomic surveys are a window into the real lives of communities and can be used to address disparities, allocate resources effectively, and inform policy decisions. When surveying international students, it is important to recognize the diversity of their family structures and housing arrangements. The term “caregiver” should be used in place of "mother" and "father" to better reflect the range of students' living situations.
When designing survey questions about caregiver employment, it is important to recognize that informal caregivers often provide medical, behavioral, financial, and other daily support. The following are some suggestions for survey questions about caregiver employment:
- What is your caregiver's current employment status (e.g., full-time, part-time, self-employed)?
- What is your caregiver's contract type (permanent, temporary)?
- How long has your caregiver been in their current job role?
- How many job transitions has your caregiver had in the past three years?
- What industry does your caregiver work in?
These questions can be customized and made relevant to each student's unique circumstances. For example, if a student has multiple caregivers, they could be asked to identify their primary caregiver or provide information about multiple caregivers.
Additionally, it is important to create a culture of open communication and actively seek feedback from caregivers. This can be done through regular check-ins and surveys to understand their satisfaction and areas for improvement.
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Student's current standard of living
To understand a student's current standard of living, it is essential to ask questions that provide insights into their socioeconomic status. Here are some suggestions for survey questions to include:
Household Composition and Dynamics
- How many people live in your household, including yourself?
- What is your relationship to the other members of your household?
- Are there any children in your household (aged 17 or younger) for whom you are a parent or guardian?
- Do you live in more than one household?
- Do you have any other adults outside your household who provide financial and emotional support?
Housing Type and Ownership
- What type of dwelling do you live in (house, apartment, mobile home, etc.)?
- Are you a homeowner, or do you rent?
- What is your monthly housing cost (rent or mortgage)?
- Do you experience any challenges with utilities or basic services?
Neighbourhood and Community
- How would you rate the safety of your neighbourhood?
- Do you have access to transportation?
- Do you have access to the internet?
- Are there any neighbourhood amenities or community services that you regularly use?
Employment Status
- What is your current employment status (e.g., full-time, part-time, self-employed)?
- What is your contract type (permanent, temporary), and how long have you been in your current job?
- How many job transitions have you had in the past three years?
- What is your primary industry or occupation?
These questions will provide valuable insights into a student's current standard of living, allowing for a better understanding of their socioeconomic circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
Indicators of a student's socioeconomic status include household income, parental education levels, parental employment and occupation, as well as the socioeconomic composition of their neighbourhood and school.
Researchers often use socioeconomic status (SES) to examine influences on student learning. To measure SES, researchers have largely settled on three components: parental education, parental occupation, and family income. However, these measures may not be suitable for students with non-traditional family structures. A more inclusive approach would involve asking students to identify their caregivers and other household members who contribute socioeconomic resources, and then asking about the education and employment of those specific individuals.
Student socioeconomic status has been shown to significantly influence student performance, along with student motivation and participation. Therefore, it is important for institutions to understand the socioeconomic status of their international students so that they can design and develop programs that increase student participation and motivation, as well as provide additional support where needed.
