What military brats tell us about social mobility
2Digest
This episode of The Indicator explores the impact of neighborhoods on a child's future economic success. The study focuses on military families, who are often randomly assigned to different locations, providing a unique opportunity to analyze the effects of different neighborhoods on children's outcomes. The research, led by economist Bruce Sacerdote, found that children who spent more time in neighborhoods with a higher percentage of college graduates had significantly higher SAT scores, were more likely to attend college, and earned more at age 25. The study also found that the impact of these neighborhoods was particularly strong during high school years. The episode highlights the importance of social mobility and the role of neighborhoods in shaping a child's future. It also emphasizes the importance of having friends across class lines and the benefits of a community that expects its children to go to college.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the topic of the podcast episode, which is how place affects opportunity. It also introduces the hosts, Darren Woods and Adrienne Ma, and the guest, Leslie Schmidt, who is a military brat and has moved around a lot in her childhood. The episode will explore new research that puts numbers on American neighborhoods and how they impact a child's future.
Leslie's Childhood
This Chapter focuses on Leslie's childhood experiences as a military brat. She shares her experiences of moving frequently, living in different parts of the country, and attending different schools. She also discusses how her experiences shaped her personality and her ability to adapt to new environments.
The Impact of Neighborhoods
This Chapter delves into the research on how neighborhoods affect a child's future economic success. The hosts discuss the challenges of studying this topic and the importance of using randomized controlled trials. They introduce the concept of a natural experiment, which is used to study the impact of neighborhoods on military families.
The Military Brat Study
This Chapter focuses on the study conducted by Bruce Sacerdote and his colleagues, which used data from military families to analyze the impact of neighborhoods on children's outcomes. The study found that children who spent more time in neighborhoods with a higher percentage of college graduates had significantly higher SAT scores, were more likely to attend college, and earned more at age 25. The study also found that the impact of these neighborhoods was particularly strong during high school years.
Keywords
Military Brat
A child of a parent or parents who are in the armed forces. Military brats often move frequently due to their parents' assignments, which can expose them to different cultures, environments, and educational opportunities. The term "brat" is often used affectionately, but it can also be seen as a negative stereotype.
Social Mobility
The movement of individuals, families, or groups between different social positions, typically measured by changes in income, wealth, education, or occupation. Social mobility can be upward, downward, or horizontal. Factors that influence social mobility include education, family background, economic opportunities, and government policies.
Natural Experiment
A study that uses real-world events or situations to test a hypothesis. Natural experiments are often used in social sciences to study the effects of interventions or policies that are not randomly assigned. For example, a study that examines the impact of a new law on crime rates could be considered a natural experiment.
Randomized Controlled Trial
A research method that randomly assigns participants to different groups, one of which receives the treatment or intervention being studied, while the other group receives a placebo or standard treatment. Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions because they help to control for confounding variables and ensure that any differences in outcomes are due to the treatment.
Neighborhood Effects
The impact of the social and physical environment of a neighborhood on the well-being and development of its residents. Neighborhood effects can be positive or negative, and they can influence a wide range of outcomes, including education, health, crime, and economic success.
Bruce Sacerdote
An economist at Dartmouth College who has conducted extensive research on the impact of neighborhoods on children's outcomes. Sacerdote is known for his work on the "Moving to Opportunity" experiment, which studied the effects of moving families from impoverished neighborhoods to lower-poverty neighborhoods.
Raj Chetty
An economist at Stanford University who has conducted groundbreaking research on social mobility and the impact of neighborhoods on children's outcomes. Chetty is known for his work on the "Opportunity Atlas," which maps the economic mobility of different neighborhoods across the United States.
Nathaniel Hendren
An economist at Harvard University who has collaborated with Raj Chetty on research on social mobility and the impact of neighborhoods on children's outcomes. Hendren is known for his work on the "Opportunity Atlas" and his research on the role of family background in shaping children's economic prospects.
Arlington, Virginia
A suburb of Washington, D.C., known for its high concentration of government workers and its proximity to the Pentagon. Arlington has a highly educated population and is considered a desirable place to live. The episode mentions that Leslie Schmidt attended high school and college in Arlington, and that the area had a positive impact on her educational and career outcomes.
Fort Irwin, California
A military base located in the Mojave Desert, known for its harsh climate and its remote location. The episode mentions that Leslie Schmidt lived in Fort Irwin as a child, and that the area was a challenging place to grow up due to its isolation and lack of opportunities.
Q&A
What is the main finding of the study on military families?
The study found that children who spent more time in neighborhoods with a higher percentage of college graduates had significantly higher SAT scores, were more likely to attend college, and earned more at age 25.
Why are military families a good subject for studying the impact of neighborhoods?
Military families are often randomly assigned to different locations, which provides a unique opportunity to analyze the effects of different neighborhoods on children's outcomes without the confounding factors that can arise when people choose their own neighborhoods.
What are some of the characteristics of neighborhoods that promote social mobility?
Neighborhoods that promote social mobility often have a higher concentration of college graduates, strong schools, a community of parents who expect their children to go to college, and job opportunities that children can see every day.
What is the significance of the study's findings for public policy?
The study's findings suggest that investing in neighborhoods with a higher concentration of college graduates can have a significant impact on children's future economic success. This information can be used to inform policies related to education funding, housing, and other social programs.
What advice does Leslie Schmidt have for other military brats?
Leslie advises other military brats to try to keep being themselves, even when they move to new places and encounter new people. She believes that moving frequently can be an opportunity to learn and grow, but it's important to stay true to your own personality and values.
Show Notes
Related episodes:
Chasing the American Dream at Outback Steakhouse (Apple / Spotify)
The secret to upward mobility: Friends
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