Governments urged to rethink policy on young people’s aspirations

A new University of Glasgow study challenges widely-held assumptions about the aspirations of young people from deprived backgrounds. The report, commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, suggests a fundamental flaw in government policy that was aimed at tackling inequality and increasing social mobility by boosting what was thought to be low aspirations among young people. The team, led by Professor Ralf St Clair and Keith Kintrea, found that levels of aspirations amongst young people surveyed in areas of deprivation in Glasgow, Nottingham and London were consistently higher than expected. Although the specifics of the aspirations varied from place to place, many expressed the desire to attend university and find work in professional and managerial fields. However, the ees lacked a clear understanding of how to achieve their goals, suggesting policymakers should shift to their focus to better informing young people as to how their goals can be achieved. Ralf St Clair said: "What the study shows clearly is that government policy needs to go beyond long-held assumptions about low levels of aspirations in certain communities and instead address the barriers which are preventing young people from achieving their ambitions. "By the time they reach 15, most young people aren't consumed with thoughts of being pop star or footballers.