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Social Change, New Risks and Opportunities for Children
Inequality
Well-being and aspirations

I had the privilege of presenting at the first seminar of this term'€™s Children and Youth in a Changing World inter-departmental seminar series. This was a great opportunity to present a forthcoming paper on how economic and social change affects children growing up in poverty. Drawing on Young Lives research, the presentation brought together survey and qualitative analysis to discuss three key areas. Firstly, how children'€™s development is shaped by different environmental influences. Secondly, to explore the changing nature of risks and opportunities in children’s lives during the first decade of the twenty-first century. And finally, to consider the implications for policy.

I argued that that poverty reduction and improved access to services and schooling have reduced some risks and created new opportunities for many children. However, the poorest children are being left behind against the backdrop of a generally rising tide of improved living standards. For example,

A lively discussion followed during which we explored the extent to which education is presented as a panacea for creating new opportunities for a whole generation, and which risks causing a future backlash if the promised change is not delivered. We also considered methodological questions about how to separate societal change from change over the individual life course. Please join us for the forthcoming seminars where we will return to the themes of education, social values and risk and resilience.

Find out more

View the slides from the seminar presentation here. Audio podcast to follow soon.

Social Change, New Risks and Opportunities for Children
Inequality
Well-being and aspirations

I had the privilege of presenting at the first seminar of this term'€™s Children and Youth in a Changing World inter-departmental seminar series. This was a great opportunity to present a forthcoming paper on how economic and social change affects children growing up in poverty. Drawing on Young Lives research, the presentation brought together survey and qualitative analysis to discuss three key areas. Firstly, how children'€™s development is shaped by different environmental influences. Secondly, to explore the changing nature of risks and opportunities in children’s lives during the first decade of the twenty-first century. And finally, to consider the implications for policy.

I argued that that poverty reduction and improved access to services and schooling have reduced some risks and created new opportunities for many children. However, the poorest children are being left behind against the backdrop of a generally rising tide of improved living standards. For example,

A lively discussion followed during which we explored the extent to which education is presented as a panacea for creating new opportunities for a whole generation, and which risks causing a future backlash if the promised change is not delivered. We also considered methodological questions about how to separate societal change from change over the individual life course. Please join us for the forthcoming seminars where we will return to the themes of education, social values and risk and resilience.

Find out more

View the slides from the seminar presentation here. Audio podcast to follow soon.