Low Socioeconomic Status

The cycle of poverty is widely acknowledged in the U.S. economic system and society at large; however, the deeply intertwined cycle of literacy is lesser known. The cycle of literacy and the cycle of poverty both describe how one's circumstances at birth can influence their future life outcomes. Those born into a low SES often have fewer opportunities and experience more difficulty obtaining a higher SES. Similarly, those born to parents with low literacy will not have a strong foundation for literacy before entering school and are more likely to fall behind and have lower literacy levels. SES and literacy intersect in the educational and job markets, where higher-paying careers often require higher education, which in turn requires higher levels of literacy.

In this context, the term "literacy level" does not merely represent one element of reading or writing, but rather a composite evaluation determined by factors such as phonological awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and many others. Literacy research is a deeply complex field of study with many intersections, one of these intersections being socioeconomic status. SES in this context is measured by level of income.