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The Inequality of Low Socioeconomic Status on Children in the Australian…
The Inequality of Low Socioeconomic Status on Children in the Australian Education System
Social Disadvantages
Low income parents who did not completed high school or attend university might influence their child to do the same
The child may have less motivation to achieve good grades at school
The parents may expect their children to start working earlier. Therefore, their child intends to drop out of school in year 10.
Parents who could not afford pre-school for their children causes some kids to be behind when starting school
Child need more assistance with reading and writing, being away from home during the day and interacting with kids their age.
Child may be held back a year at school
The child find it difficult to make friends at school
Child may feel different or behind their class mates
Parents who work a lot do not have the time to engage in the school community events
Their child finds it hard to break into friend groups that are family friends and play outside of school and at community events.
Geographic location and disadvantaged housing situation
Low income parents afford housing in poor suburbs that are far from the city or near schools with good reputations
The child may have to attend a small public school that does not continue to year 11 and 12. Also, the school may have limited resources to assist children with disabilities, health issues (mental and physical) and bullying
Child may struggle to learn like the other children
Parents might not be able to afford sending their child to boarding school for year 11 and 12 and university
Children can feel unsafe in their neighbourhood
They may not want to invite friends over, or parents of their friends won’t let them go to the child’s house for safety reasons
Children may be influenced by the people around them, such as their language, behaviours and what they do for work
They may be rough or inappropriate to other children
Child has to travel a long way on transport to attend school
They have less time for school work and after school activities
The child has many siblings that live at home and may share study and sleeping spaces
The house is loud and untidy
Difficulties studying which has an influence on their grades
The child may have lots of responsibilities at home to care for their siblings which take time away from studying and extracurricular sports and clubs
Child has little time to rest which makes them tired in class
Child has less opportunities to meet and make friends with children their own age. Also, they cannot take part in hobbies that they are gifted in.
Social isolation
Might miss out on scholarships and important opportunities in sporting or the arts
Home life and Family Difficulties
Stressful economic situations can cause tension in families such as absent parents and/ or abuse
Absent parent/s can make their child feel isolated at home, This is because they can struggle with school work because they have no one to help with homework
Child can fall behind in school and either be held back a year or be discouraged to continue their schooling after year 10
Child’s grades and behaviour can be effected and are at higher risk of developing a mental illness
Children may feel that they cannot bring friends home because their parents aren’t around or they feel unsafe at home
The child feel scared and tired at home and have to lie about their family situation at school
Child becomes injured or mentally ill
They often have to take time off school and miss out on class work or don’t have time to make friends
Single parent or single income families can place pressures on the child/ children to work or discontinue school to relieve financial strain.
Economic pressures
Child is set apart from their peers because they cannot afford books, stationary, field trip, camps and new uniforms
Child cannot complete all of their school work because they cannot attend excursions or buy textbooks to complete course readings
Child is judged by their peers and are socially isolated because they look different or cannot participate in all events
Children may be expected to work casual or part-time jobs to help with household expenses
They are tired at school and have less time to participate in extracurricular activities and to complete homework
Child cannot afford lunch at school
They are hungry and distracted in school which makes it difficult to listen and do well at school
Health Issues
Parents of children in school who have disabilities or health issues (mental and physical)
Their children have to work more to help cover costs at home
Their children need to look after them and have more responsibilities at home that makes them, tired and stressed
May develop mental illness such as depression and anxiety
Children of low socioeconomic status with disabilities or health issues
They may not be helped at school because they can afford a special school.
They may be bullied
Their parents may not be able to afford hospital expenses or medicines that would help them overcome their injury, sickness or disability
They fall behind in school because they have to stay at home a lot
Sexual education for children with low socioeconomic status
Less knowledge on safe sex practices or being unable to afford birth control
Can lead to teen pregnancy and the child to drop out of school