Final answer:
The socioeconomic status of a family is typically determined by parents' education levels, occupational prestige, and income, with social position—including cultural norms and values—passed down to children. The upbringing emphasizes traits valuable in parents' job sectors, perpetuating social classes. Control over family resources by parents influences household spending and children's well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The socioeconomic status of a family is typically determined by factors that include parents' education levels, occupational prestige, and income. Parents tend to pass their social position on to their children, along with the cultural norms, values, and beliefs that accompany their lifestyle.
For instance, working-class parents, who may have less education and more repetitive-task jobs, often emphasize obedience and conformity when raising their children, while wealthier parents with better educations and managerial or creative problem-solving jobs teach their children judgment and creativity. This socialization ensures that children are raised to take on the types of jobs their parents have, thus reproducing the class system.
The control of family resources by fathers or mothers also impacts household expenses and children's well-being. Research has shown that when mothers control a larger share of family income, families tend to spend more on child care and less on alcohol and tobacco, resulting in improved children's health. Therefore, when assisting low-income families, it is beneficial to consider which family member receives the money.