Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why working class white boys do worse than any other ethnic group, and how we can change this?

465 replies

Carla786 · 22/04/2026 22:38

A lot of stuff I've read recently has argued the way school is set up disadvantages boys compared to girls. But this doesn't explain why white working class boys would perform worse than wc boys of other ethnicities.
Asian wc boys are more likely to have present fathers,,but black wc boys less likely than white boys (I think). So absent fathers I'm sure are part of the problem, but then maybe also black boys then have a protective factor that still boosts performance which white boys don't have? What could this be?

And how can white wc boys be helped? The question also remains why white wc girls are apparently less affected too : maybe I suppose tying in to school methods being more suited to the average girl?

https://www.spiked-online.com/2026/03/24/the-betrayal-of-white-working-class-boys/

The betrayal of white working-class boys

Anyone who still believes in white, male privilege should take a look at England’s school system.

https://www.spiked-online.com/2026/03/24/the-betrayal-of-white-working-class-boys/

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Ellanory · 22/04/2026 23:37

Have you read the article you linked to, OP? It includes some ideas which may help you answer your questions.

Comtesse · 22/04/2026 23:34

OnceUponATimed · 22/04/2026 23:26

People coming from the Caribbean suffered multi generational trauma, years of rape torture and abuse. Families ripped apart. Poor education for generations. Low expectations and racism. Passage to England was paid for and open to many.
From African countries many of the migrants are educated and place education high on the agenda. Exceeding at school is expected. Getting here was difficult and required a more complicated route and hence determination.

Show quote history

There’s a theory that suggests it’s related to the history of slavery - more likely to have affected black families from the Caribbean than African countries. A similar pattern is seen in the US - eg more recent migrants from African countries have better educational attainment than black people whose ancestors have bern in the US for very long periods.

Ellanory · 22/04/2026 23:30

I see it in parts of the north east. Large numbers of white working class, mainly boys, in areas experiencing years of economic under investment. This not only impacts the quality of schooling, but means kids don't see the point of going to school if there are no jobs anyway.
There's no motivation from the elites to do anything about it and so it continues.

DontKillSteve · 22/04/2026 23:27

Lack of aspiration is often deeply entrenched. You’ll have generations who haven’t valued education or been let down by it. The school system isn’t good at engaging the non academic. Boys more likely to muck around and derive a status from this and bunking off. I think girls are more likely to break out of the cycle because of earlier maturity. I say this as someone from a working class, impoverished background where everyone left education as soon as they reached the minimum age. White, working class schools are not great to be in.

OnceUponATimed · 22/04/2026 23:26

Carla786 · 22/04/2026 23:18

I've read this elsewhere but not much explanation as to why.

Carribean families could potentially have been here since 1948 or maybe before. African families much more likely to be more recent immigrants. But why this difference? Did events in the post-Windrush decades knock Carribean communities off track?

Show quote history

People coming from the Caribbean suffered multi generational trauma, years of rape torture and abuse. Families ripped apart. Poor education for generations. Low expectations and racism. Passage to England was paid for and open to many.
From African countries many of the migrants are educated and place education high on the agenda. Exceeding at school is expected. Getting here was difficult and required a more complicated route and hence determination.

Cheesipuff · 22/04/2026 23:24

Caribbean macho culture?

Cheesipuff · 22/04/2026 23:23

Blair’s government , and possibly Cameron’s poured money into education and schools in London which brought up the education levels in black boys sadly no one is interested in putting money into the regions so poor outcomes.

Original poster
Carla786 · 22/04/2026 23:18

Nightmanagerfan · 22/04/2026 23:08

There’s a big difference between outcomes among black groups. Black Africans do better than black Caribbean for example.

I've read this elsewhere but not much explanation as to why.

Carribean families could potentially have been here since 1948 or maybe before. African families much more likely to be more recent immigrants. But why this difference? Did events in the post-Windrush decades knock Carribean communities off track?

OP posts:
Nightmanagerfan · 22/04/2026 23:08

There’s a big difference between outcomes among black groups. Black Africans do better than black Caribbean for example.

noworklifebalance · 22/04/2026 23:04

Carla786 · 22/04/2026 23:00

Why would these be worse among white working class boys compared to other ethnic groups though?

I think for Asian and African families there can often be an immigrant-valuation-of-education effect even when circumstances are hard. Black wc boys as a whole are more likely to get involved in crime, as well as to be victims of violent crime, and they're more likely to have absent fathers, but they still have better educational outcomes.

Wouldn't lack of aspiration affect white wc girls as much? I suppose boys may be more likely to disengage from school anyway for various reasons.

Edited
Show quote history

It takes a certain type of person to leave a hard life in one country, migrate to another with very little money or support and make it - the Asian and black families that you describe are often the sorts of people who are driven and strive for a better life for themselves and their children.

Original poster
Carla786 · 22/04/2026 23:02

Meadowfinch · 22/04/2026 22:57

Maybe white working class dads not valuing education, and telling their sons that they never needed exams so not to bother.

Unfortunately the world of work has changed.

Is this common? Definitely the male role model discouraging education would be very unhelpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carla786 · 22/04/2026 23:00

ExtraOnions · 22/04/2026 22:49

Multi-generational lack of engagement in Education; leading to low aspiration, lack of importance in Education, lack of positive role models, lack of parental support in Education, and a curriculum that feels unachievable.

Why would these be worse among white working class boys compared to other ethnic groups though?

I think for Asian and African families there can often be an immigrant-valuation-of-education effect even when circumstances are hard. Black wc boys as a whole are more likely to get involved in crime, as well as to be victims of violent crime, and they're more likely to have absent fathers, but they still have better educational outcomes.

Wouldn't lack of aspiration affect white wc girls as much? I suppose boys may be more likely to disengage from school anyway for various reasons.

OP posts:
Brightonkebab · 22/04/2026 22:59

When people have been raised to have no ambitions, no aspirations but blame everyone for their short comings. That’s what you get.

Meadowfinch · 22/04/2026 22:57

Maybe white working class dads not valuing education, and telling their sons that they never needed exams so not to bother.

Unfortunately the world of work has changed.

ExtraOnions · 22/04/2026 22:49

Multi-generational lack of engagement in Education; leading to low aspiration, lack of importance in Education, lack of positive role models, lack of parental support in Education, and a curriculum that feels unachievable.