How far do social and economic background determine individual life chances?

[FatBellyJones]

got this as an essay heading.. I know the answer but I'm staring at a blank document at the moment and can't seem to get it going. Been given this title with 2 days notice too

soo.. if anyone fancies a bit of brainstorming, twould be most appreciated

[karen999]

Ok, you start off....have to get that mind of yours working!!

[GreenGlassGoblin]

more than they used to...
more than they ought to...

[Lauriefairycake]

I would be looking at studies on child poverty, ones going down through the last fifty years tracking the children into employment etc

Barnardos website - ch4 website on child poverty - "child poverty action" group (must have an online resource)

[FatBellyJones]

poor housing -> less space to study, worse schools -> poor education -> lower self esteem -> unemployment/low paid work -> poor housing

[ZippiBabes]

theoretically they give more options if you are better off and beter educated

tho that can also make you complacent and unchallenged

having something to fight against or reason to grow away from your roots may make you work harder and get more rewards

other things may come into play such as personal tragedy or poor health

poor heaplth must be easier to cope with if you come from a well supported family background

[FatBellyJones]

Thanks all of you.. I know this is basic stuff but it's just not flowing.. I seem to get a block in my brain when i have to write something for submission

[FairyMum]

Britain is one of the least socially mobile countries in western europe.

[PenelopePitstops]

make a plan,

either they do or dont, do to some degree/dont to some degree

introduction- main explainatin, your point of view

pargraphs perhaps each argument you have backed up by data, or theorists points of view in defferent paragraphs

dont forget to argue ginst yourself

one big nice conclusion summarise everything

[avenanap]

I had to do this for my nursing course, children who live in poverty often have poor housing conditions which contribute to conditions such as asthma. They often are forced into overcrowded conditions due to money, they are more likely to be knocked down by a car whilst playing on the road because there's no where for them to play (are not blessed with a large garden). Are more likely to have an accident at home. Parents are more likely to have children at a young age, more likely to have mental health problems, low attainment at school, reduced job prospects, less likely to be offered health screening.
This being said though, I grew up in poverty on a council estate, my father's a bit of a drunk and my mum's got mental health problems. I have a nice house (single mum though), I have a degree am doing a MSc, my son eats healthily, he's privately educated and I run a small business. I think that whatever your circumstances, you can change your life if you have the drive and the perseverence.

[FatBellyJones]

thanks everyone! sorry forgot to check back

[3andnomore]

sounds like a real interesting assignement

not sure if mentioned before, probably has, but would be interesting to look at the effects of the environement a child has been raised in, actually has...i.e. not so much social status, but low earners, do they produce earners and do benefit seekers tend to be generations of benefit seekers, and why, etc...
but might be to off topic, have not properly thought about this, tbh...