Ethnic Differences in Achievement - External Factors (Material Deprivation)

Question 1

According to Palmer (2012), what percentage of ethnic minorities live in low-income households?

Answer 1

Almost 50% =

• compared to 1/4 of white children.

Question 2

What else does Palmer say about ethnic minorities?

Answer 2

1) . Almost 2x more likely to be unemployed.

2) . 3x more likely to be homeless.

Question 3

What are the reasons why ethnic minorities are at a greater risk of being materially deprived?

Answer 3

1) . Live in areas with high unemployment.
2) . Cultural factors can prevent women from working outside the home.
3) . May lack fluent English (especially refugees).
4) . Racial discrimination in the labour and housing market.

Question 4

Which ethnic group has the highest proportion of children eligible for free school meals?

Answer 4

Bangladeshi –> nearly 45%.

• compared with 11% white British.

Question 5

What statistics show ethnicity achievement isn’t always defined by material deprivation of their ethnic group?

Answer 5

2011 =

• Chinese girls with 5 A*-C (on free school meals) = 86%.
• White British girls (not on free school meals) = 65%.

Question 6

How does racism in wider society cause material deprivation of ethnic minorities?

Answer 6

Racism leads to exclusion =

• forced into substandard housing.
• more likely to be rejected in job applications, have to do shit jobs for shit pay.

This affects their children’s educational achievement.