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Effects of the Great Recession on Child Development

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  • Ariel Kalil

Abstract

The Great Recession and its reverberations resulted in levels of economic distress unprecedented since the 1930s. Economic downturns, including the Great Recession, are known to affect adult employment and income, housing, family composition, and financial strain. Many of these family characteristics affect child and adolescent development in the short and long run. The nature of children’s experiences in economically unstable families during the Great Recession is not yet fully understood. This article summarizes empirical research on the relationship between economic downturns and child and youth development. It also discusses theoretical perspectives linking economic downturns to child development through the family’s emotional and behavioral processes, on one hand, and family investments of time and money, on the other. The evidence from existing studies of parental job loss, residential moves, income instability, and financial strain suggests that the Great Recession may ultimately have negative effects on child development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ariel Kalil, 2013. "Effects of the Great Recession on Child Development," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 650(1), pages 232-250, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:650:y:2013:i:1:p:232-250
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716213500453
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    Cited by:

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    4. Dominic Weinberg & Gonneke W. J. M. Stevens & Elisa L. Duinhof & Catrin Finkenauer, 2019. "Adolescent Socioeconomic Status and Mental Health Inequalities in the Netherlands, 2001–2017," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-18, September.
    5. Nick Drydakis, 2023. "Parental unemployment and adolescents' academic performance," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 44(7), pages 1362-1381, February.
    6. Mari, Gabriele, 2022. "Parental unemployment and children's education: A note on the very small role of aspirations," SocArXiv xzs8r, Center for Open Science.
    7. Melisa Bubonya & Deborah A. Cobb-Clark & Daniel Christensen & Sarah E. Johnson & Stephen R. Zubrick, 2019. "The Great Recession and Children’s Mental Health in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-19, February.
    8. Mari, Gabriele & Keizer, Renske & van Gaalen, Ruben, 2022. "The Timing of Parental Unemployment, Insurance, and Children's Education," SocArXiv 7rm6g, Center for Open Science.
    9. Mari, Gabriele, 2024. "Pandemic Income Support Programs and Adolescent Mental Health in the UK, Ireland and Australia," SocArXiv pzr4k, Center for Open Science.
    10. Chen Wang, Yudan & McLeroy, Amanda M., 2023. "Poverty, parenting stress, and adolescent mental health: The protective role of school connectedness reexamined," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).

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