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Social capital and educational inequality of migrant children in contemporary China: A multilevel mediation analysis

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  • Ma, Gaoming
  • Wu, Qiaobing

Abstract

With the unprecedented migration in China, migrant children’ wellbeing becomes a great social problem. There is an emerging literature on the educational inequality of migrant children, but most studies focus on either the institutional barriers or the individual factors. This article argues for a holistic perspective, studying the mechanisms of hukou system and social capital through which children's migration affects their education. Based on the China Education Panel Survey and the random-intercept mediation model, the article shows that the educational outcome of migrant children is significantly worse than urban peers. Most of the negative effects are attributed to the hukou–related school quality and others are mediated by social capital within the family and the community. Surprisingly, the results show that the child–father interactions have a negative effect on children's education. The practical and policy implications for migrant children's wellbeing are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Gaoming & Wu, Qiaobing, 2019. "Social capital and educational inequality of migrant children in contemporary China: A multilevel mediation analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 165-171.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:99:y:2019:i:c:p:165-171
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.02.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ma, Gaoming & Wu, Qiaobing, 2020. "Cultural capital in migration: Academic achievements of Chinese migrant children in urban public schools," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. Jiayu Zhang & Liu Hong & Gaoming Ma, 2022. "Socioeconomic Status, Peer Social Capital, and Quality of Life of High School Students During COVID-19: A Mediation Analysis," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(5), pages 3005-3021, October.
    3. Peng, Huamin & Qi, Lin & Wan, Guowei & Li, Bingqin & Hu, Bo, 2020. "Child population, economic development and regional inequality of education resources in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    4. Ru Chen & Xin Chen, 2023. "Latent Profile Analysis of the Positive Development of Migrant Adolescents: the Roles of Family Capital and Resilience," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(4), pages 1733-1754, August.
    5. Qiu, Hui & Liang, Xiao, 2024. "Segmented assimilation of migrant children in urban public schools of China: Impact of family resources and school segregation on their educational aspirations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).

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