Photo: Lukas | Pexels
Children from low-income families who grow up in areas where friendships span income groups are likely to earn significantly more per year as adults, according to research done as part of a project on how to grow social capital in the UK. Schools, universities, and recreational groups like amateur sports teams are three key places where cross-class friendships tend to emerge because they provide shared experiences that can help dissolve social barriers and connect people across income lines. In the study, children from low-income households who grew up in the 10% most economically connected local authority areas earned £5,100 ($6,600) more annually than peers raised in the 10% least connected areas. Next, the team plans to investigate whether larger schools—which tend to include a broader mix of pupils—help foster more economically diverse friendships.
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