The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Literacy
- Mac Ferrone
- Mar 15
- 2 min read
While we don’t get to choose where or when we’re born, where we start in life plays a huge role in shaping our future—especially when it comes to our socioeconomic status and literacy level.
It’s easy to see how people in different socioeconomic groups have varying access to things like books. But what’s less obvious is how closely linked these two factors are. As the Michigan Journal of Economics explains, people born into lower-income families are much more likely to stay there throughout their lives. The same goes for those raised in families with low literacy levels, who are more likely to struggle with literacy as they grow, compared to those with more resources (Blanchard).
First off, literacy is a major factor in personal development. Reading with and to children helps them build language skills, understand the world around them, and grow emotionally (Sheldon-Dean). The effects of poor literacy, however, stretch far beyond just reading books. According to literary organization Words Alive, illiteracy doesn’t just mean being unable to read for pleasure—it can also mean struggling to read medicine labels or follow simple cooking instructions (Van Helt). These are everyday challenges that people in lower socioeconomic brackets face, while those in wealthier families don’t usually have to worry about them.
Without literacy, it’s much harder to manage things like finances or even apply for jobs that would help you escape poverty. And even when you do manage to get a job, it’s tough to get promotions or pay raises without the literacy skills to back it up, making it harder to support a family without relying on welfare or food stamps (Van Helt). It’s also difficult to break out of this cycle—so finding a better-paying job or improving your literacy without the financial stability to invest in education is an uphill battle.
This problem has real economic consequences. In 2023, it was estimated that illiteracy and its related effects cost the U.S. around $225 billion in lost productivity, tax revenue, and increased crime (Blanchard). Illiteracy is both a cycle that’s nearly impossible to escape on your own, and one that negatively affects society as a whole.
In places like Baltimore, people also live in "Book Deserts"–areas where lower socioeconomic status makes it harder to access books and other resources that would improve literacy. Schools in these areas often struggle with limited funding and can’t provide the literacy education their students need, leaving them behind their peers who attend better-funded schools (Blanchard). For a closer look at Book Deserts, check out our previous blog.
However, waiting for things to get better on their own isn’t enough. That’s where organizations like the Maryland Book Bank come in. They work to bridge the gap for those born into less fortunate circumstances, helping people grow and providing equal opportunities for all.
While we can’t control where or when we’re born, we can work together to create a future where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.
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