Poverty, Educational Access and Intergenerational Social Mobility: Moderating Role of Family Background

Abstract

Poverty remains one of the most persistent barriers to human development, particularly in developing and urbanizing societies. It significantly influences access to education and shapes opportunities for intergenerational social mobility. Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals to improve their socioeconomic status relative to their parents, and education is widely recognized as a key driver of upward mobility. However, unequal access to quality education continues to reinforce cycles of poverty across generations. This study examines the relationship between poverty, educational access, and intergenerational social mobility, with a particular focus on the moderating role of family background. Drawing upon human capital theory and social reproduction theory, the study argues that poverty restricts access to educational opportunities, thereby limiting upward mobility. At the same time, family background, including parental education, income, and social capital, influences how individuals benefit from educational access. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from 300 respondents through structured questionnaires. Structural Equation Modeling using Smart PLS was used to test the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that poverty has a significant negative impact on educational access, which in turn affects intergenerational social mobility. Empirical evidence suggests that limited access to education remains a major constraint for upward mobility, particularly among low-income populations. Furthermore, family background was found to significantly moderate the relationship between educational access and social mobility. Individuals from supportive family environments are more likely to translate educational opportunities into upward mobility, while disadvantaged family contexts weaken this effect. Research indicates that disparities in education access and quality continue to shape mobility outcomes across generations. The study concludes that addressing poverty and improving educational access are essential for enhancing social mobility. However, interventions must also consider family level factors to ensure equitable outcomes.