Does a Child's Neighborhood Impact Economic Mobility?

The Washington Post reported yesterday on findings to be issued this week by the Pew Economic Mobility Project: "Researchers found that being raised in poor neighborhoods plays a major role in explaining why African American children from middle-income families are far more likely than white children to slip down the income ladder as adults." The Pew project released results from a poll in March that found "Americans believe in the their ability --- and the ability of their children --- to get ahead. Resoundingly, Americans place greater importance on ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to improve their economic standing over reducing inequality." This latest report looks specifically at the important influence of neighborhood poverty on the mobility gap between Black and White America. The findings "provide compelling evidence that investments in children’s environments have the potential to facilitate economic mobility among blacks living in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods". The report discusses the policy implications of these findings. For policies to increase family economic success.