California's Young Families: Assets and Challenges

Almost 60 percent of households with children ages 0-5 in California speak a language other than or in addition to English. This reflects the growing cultural diversity of the state, according to new study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
The study focuses on families with children ages 0-5 and factors that influence a child's well-being and readiness for school. Overall, the report shows that nearly 9 in 10 parents of young children are married or in long-term relationships; 6 in 10 have more than a high school education; and a majority has fairly strong neighborhood ties.

But there are significant disparities in income, parent educational achievement, and perceived English language skills. Nearly half of young families are poor enough to qualify for public aid, and poor families are concentrated in California's urban centers.

Multilingual, but not always proficient

Forty-two percent of households with young children speak only English at home; 40 percent speak both English and another language at home (primarily Spanish); and more than 20 percent speak no English .
Other research has shown that children who enter school without strong skills in their primary language often have more difficulty becoming proficient in English. This can put them at a disadvantage as they advance through school and enter the labor force, said Susan Holtby, program director at Public Health Institute and lead author of the report. 

"Being multilingual is an incredible asset, but our challenge is to ensure that children become proficient in English early on so they reach high school with the skills to do well so that the benefits of being multilingual can be optimized," said Holtby. 
The study, based on 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 California Health Interview Survey data, reports 60 percent of young children's parents had more than a high school education — including nearly 38 percent with a bachelor's degree or higher — but 20 percent had less than a high school education. For many, the lack of education is compounded by a language barrier: 37 percent said they speak English "not well" or "not at all," which other research suggests can complicate their children's path to success.

Role of cities, suburbs and rural location

Living in an urban, suburban or rural setting is an important factor in young families' lives. Some study findings based on the family's community setting:

• Urban areas: Three-quarters of young families are urban residents, and half of those are Latino parents; about 30 percent are non-citizens; and about a quarter are enrolled in Medi-Cal and/or WIC.
• Rural areas: Ten percent of young families live in rural areas. They have the highest proportion of U.S.-born parents -- 66 percent with at least one parent born in the U.S. Rural areas also have a higher proportion of young White families. These areas also have the highest level of feeling safe in their neighborhoods "all of the time" at 55 percent.
• Suburbs: Less than 15 percent of young families live in the suburbs. Suburban parents have the highest educational attainment — 72 percent report more than 12 years of education. The area has higher proportions of White and Asian young families, and higher incomes — 70 percent are at or above 200 percent of FPL — compared to 51 percent of urban families and 46 percent of rural families.

The study, supported by First 5 California, recommends that parents and caregivers engage with young children through reading, singing and conversation to enhance school readiness for both multilingual and English-only speakers.