1. Toni-Louise Coulson
BA Applied Social Science (Children and Young People)
Aspirations of young people
Photo: flickr.com/kaichanvong/2905150085
Rationale
Educational achievement is linked to
better opportunities and more positive life
outcomes. However, young people from
lower socioeconomic backgrounds are less
likely to attend university, therefore
continuing cycles of inequality.
Current government policy to tackle this
issue is based on the assumption that
young people from lower socioeconomic
backgrounds have lower aspirations than
their peers. However, consideration needs
to be given to other factors that might
prevent young people from lower
socioeconomic backgrounds from
attending university.
Theory
The research is based on the theory that
young people from different backgrounds
have access to different forms of ‘capital’
that affect their aspirations and
achievements.
This can be economic capital (the finances
they have access to), social capital (their
social connections) or cultural capital (the
knowledge and experiences they have
access to).
Aspirations of young people from all socio-
economic backgrounds were high, with
the majority of respondents aspiring to a
professional career

2. (Extract from dissertation)
Policy needs to not only focus on raising aspirations,
but to solving issues of structural inequalities such as
income poverty.
Research methods
Face to face interviews were conducted with nine people aged
21-25 from different socioeconomic backgrounds, some of whom
attended university and others who did not attend university.
Interviewees were asked about their career aspirations, attitudes
to education, potential barriers to university and what help they
had to achieve their aspirations.
Key recommendations
The findings suggest that all young people have high aspirations
for themselves. Therefore policy and research should shift from a
focus on raising aspirations to examining other factors.
Structural factors such as poverty and access to help and support
to achieve career goals should be considered.
Where do you want to be in
5-10 years time?
How has your social background affected your choices?
Do you feel that inequalities have limited your career options?