Family, community, and educational outcomes in South Asia

Abstract

In this article, we review research on the economics and sociology of education to assess the relationships between family and community variables and children's educational outcomes in South Asia. At the family level, we examine the variables of family socioeconomic status (SES), parental education, family structure, and religion and caste. At the community level, we assess the limited research on the relationships between economic, cultural, and social characteristics and children's educational outcomes. The literature presents several consistent relationships between the roles of family and community characteristics in determining educational outcomes and reveals several possibilities for further research.South Asia faces significant educational challenges. For example, of the 115 million primary-school-aged children worldwide who are not in school, 42 million reside in South Asia (UNESCO 2003a). This article responds to such challenges by providing a systematic and up-to-date review of existing quantitative research in the economics and sociology of education and then by identifying issues that require greater attention from researchers and policymakers. In particular, we examine the relationships between children's educational outcomes in South Asia (such as attainment, enrolment, and learning) and two sets of characteristics: family characteristics (SES, parental education, family structure, and religion and caste) and community characteristics (economic, cultural, and social). In light of the continued educational challenges facing the region, our focus on the role of home and community is motivated by several factors. Home, community, and school factors are A. Chudgar (

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