A recent study conducted by Georgia State University sheds light on the geographic proximity of individuals to their families as they navigate educational and occupational paths. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, the research reveals that while the majority of individuals tend to reside in close proximity to their families, there exists a notable trend among high-income white individuals to relocate further away from their familial roots.
The findings challenge conventional notions surrounding the dynamics of American families and the factors influencing individuals’ residential decisions. The authors argue that the widely held belief of a widespread pattern of individuals moving farther away from their families may not be as pervasive as commonly assumed.
Family narratives
“That narrative is so often a white narrative and a high-income narrative that we accept society-wide,” the authors explain. “But for most people, that’s not even close to true.”
They unveiled a distinct pattern concerning the proximity of various racial and income groups to their families. While white, high-income families exhibit a tendency to dwell at greater distances from their kin, other racial and income cohorts typically reside in close proximity to at least one family member.
To discern the impact of race and income on familial closeness, the team meticulously examined four decades’ worth of data sourced from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Initiated in 1968, this extensive long-term study provided the researchers with valuable insights into the intricate dynamics surrounding familial proximity.
Understanding complexity
“We broke it down by race and income—looking within those groups—because we understand that racial groups are not a monolith and there is variation within them,” the researchers explain.
They reveal that previous studies into the topic have tended to focus on the closest family members, such as parents and adult children, but their study expanded this to look at the entire family network.
“There’s a lot of good evidence that people have different relationships with their extended kin—grandparents, cousins—that varies by race,” they explain. “So, the focus on adult children and their parents might miss an important part of the story.”
Distinct variations
The study reveals distinct variations in the proximity of individuals to their families based on race and income. While white, high-income participants displayed an inclination to increase their physical distance from family members over time, other racial and income groups maintained a relatively stable level of proximity. These findings underscore the significance of family proximity as a determining factor in residential choices, even as educational and childcare institutions assume roles that were traditionally fulfilled by family members.
According to the researchers, these results challenge the prevailing bias that associates success with geographical mobility. The study indicates that individuals who choose to remain in close proximity to their families do so not out of an inability to relocate, but as an active decision based on personal preference.
“Black, high-income families were still living close to their families. They presumably have the resources and education to move away from family, but they may stay living near family for many different reasons that relate to family bonds, family culture, norms and expectations to stay close, or the racism they face in the wider society,” the authors explain.
The researchers contend that the significance of their study extends beyond the realm of familial proximity, emphasizing the necessity for further investigation into inequality and the distinctions observed between white, high-income families and other demographic groups. By shedding light on these dynamics, the research underscores the importance of delving deeper into these areas of inquiry.
“We need to think very critically about what it means when this group is on a different trajectory from everybody else and what it foretells about inequality,” the researchers conclude.
