Poor housing conditions during early childhood can have long-term effects on educational outcomes, according to a recent study.
An analysis of graduation rate data by Observatoire québécois des inégalités showed that living in poorly maintained homes during one’s childhood was linked to a higher risk of high school drop out rate by 80 per cent.
People who grew up in poorer households where essential expenses like rent or heating were a challenge, were 81 per cent more likely not to have qualification by the age of 21.
Individuals who grew up in a rented home throughout their childhood had a 170 per cent chance of not having a diploma by the time they are 21 compared to those who didn’t.
Researchers say that early childhood, especially the period from birth to age five, is a crucial stage that has a big influence on future academic success and life paths.
“Poor housing conditions during early childhood first hinder the development of preschool skills—as assessed by teachers when the child was around age six —and then affect reading performance in elementary school when the child reaches around age 10,” the report said.
An increase in school drop-out rate can have affect on the economy beyond the individuals. According to some estimates, the Quebec government loses over $20 billion in potential tax revenues due to income differences between those with a diploma and those without.
Researchers based their analysis on over 2,120 individuals born across Quebec between 1997 and 1998.
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