Who has a chance to overcome poverty? Predictors of educational achievement of youth living in poverty.

Education is an important protective factor against poverty. However, not all young people growing up in poverty have equal chances to achieve certain educational success. Previous research acknowledges the importance of various individual-level and family-level predictors. The importance of individual-level predictors can be explained by the structural strains theory, whereas the poor family socialization theory explains the importance of family-level factors. In this study, we tried to test these theories and replicate previous findings on a sample of 345 young people who grew up in poverty and are currently social assistance recipients in 26 social welfare centres. We conducted the study using administrative files from Croatian social welfare centres as a data source. Our hypotheses were that males, national minorities, individuals who experienced educational difficulties and committed risky behaviours during their high school age would attain lower educational status (H1). We also proposed that young people from families with one legal guardian/parent, families with more children, families where parents demonstrate risky behaviours and have lower education would attain lower education status (H2). We expected that the most important predictor of educational attainment would be the level of education of their parents (H3). Research results confirmed the importance of individual- and family-related characteristics as important determinants of educational attainment of young people who grew up and still live in poverty, with parental education being the most important predictor. Further research and practice should be developed in recognition that youth in poverty are not a homogenous group and that practices should address adverse family surrounding and structural strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]