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Recession is stalling social mobility for a generation of teenagers, claims report Recession is stalling social mobility for a generation of teenagers, claims report
(7 months later)
Social mobility has stalled for thousands of teenagers because the recession has affected their educational aspirations, according to new research.Social mobility has stalled for thousands of teenagers because the recession has affected their educational aspirations, according to new research.
Economists have found that, during periods of high unemployment, teenagers' plans to remain at school after GCSEs were shaped by their parents' education – not their income or whether they had a job. Children with parents who have few qualifications are far less likely to want to take A-levels and go to university or take vocational courses because they do not think they will get work afterwards. However, those from highly educated families are more likely to want to gain further qualifications.Economists have found that, during periods of high unemployment, teenagers' plans to remain at school after GCSEs were shaped by their parents' education – not their income or whether they had a job. Children with parents who have few qualifications are far less likely to want to take A-levels and go to university or take vocational courses because they do not think they will get work afterwards. However, those from highly educated families are more likely to want to gain further qualifications.
The research found that the impact of the economic downturn for a swath of today's teenagers could last decades, as those whose parents had little schooling or who do not value education gain fewer exams. "This has the potential to disrupt and stall social mobility for a generation growing up during an economic recession," says the report.The research found that the impact of the economic downturn for a swath of today's teenagers could last decades, as those whose parents had little schooling or who do not value education gain fewer exams. "This has the potential to disrupt and stall social mobility for a generation growing up during an economic recession," says the report.
Economists Mark Taylor and Tina Rampino at the Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, examined the educational attitudes and aspirations of thousands of 11-15-year-olds between 1994 and 2010. They found that, when youth unemployment rose from 10% to 20%, the proportion of children with parents with positive attitudes to schooling who wish to stay in the sixth form goes up from 94% to 97% and the proportion who want to go to university increases from 84% to 86%, but it falls from 87% to 64% and from 78% to 46% respectively among children with parents who have negative attitudes.Economists Mark Taylor and Tina Rampino at the Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, examined the educational attitudes and aspirations of thousands of 11-15-year-olds between 1994 and 2010. They found that, when youth unemployment rose from 10% to 20%, the proportion of children with parents with positive attitudes to schooling who wish to stay in the sixth form goes up from 94% to 97% and the proportion who want to go to university increases from 84% to 86%, but it falls from 87% to 64% and from 78% to 46% respectively among children with parents who have negative attitudes.
The report, which will be presented at a conference in London this week, notes that previous studies showed that "positive attitudes and aspirations reduce engagement in deviant and antisocial behaviours and are inversely related with later outcomes such as benefit receipt and early and lone parenthood".The report, which will be presented at a conference in London this week, notes that previous studies showed that "positive attitudes and aspirations reduce engagement in deviant and antisocial behaviours and are inversely related with later outcomes such as benefit receipt and early and lone parenthood".
It recommends that policy makers should respond to economic downturns by "targeting appropriate policies aimed at maintaining positive educational attitudes and aspirations towards children and their parents in neighbourhoods and schools where a high proportion of the population have low qualifications."It recommends that policy makers should respond to economic downturns by "targeting appropriate policies aimed at maintaining positive educational attitudes and aspirations towards children and their parents in neighbourhoods and schools where a high proportion of the population have low qualifications."
Jess Lee, 18, who lives in a hostel in Old Trafford, Manchester, left school at 16 with a couple of GCSEs. She started a childcare course but did not complete it because she found the written work too challenging. She would like to work in a shop but has had no luck in finding a job. "I live near a shopping centre and have written to every shop – at least 50 – but not heard back from any of them," she said.Jess Lee, 18, who lives in a hostel in Old Trafford, Manchester, left school at 16 with a couple of GCSEs. She started a childcare course but did not complete it because she found the written work too challenging. She would like to work in a shop but has had no luck in finding a job. "I live near a shopping centre and have written to every shop – at least 50 – but not heard back from any of them," she said.
Last November she was referred to Rathbone, a charity that provides education and training to young people. "They have really helped me, redoing my CV and the covering letter. I've been on a course to help me get a job and come here four times a week. I've made lots of friends through being here as well and it's helped my confidence," she said.Last November she was referred to Rathbone, a charity that provides education and training to young people. "They have really helped me, redoing my CV and the covering letter. I've been on a course to help me get a job and come here four times a week. I've made lots of friends through being here as well and it's helped my confidence," she said.
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