Young Students in Denmark Choose Education Based on Social Class

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen finds that young Danish people choose education based on social class, even though all students in Denmark have equal access to education.

The study reveals that young people who come from working class backgrounds choose 9 to 5 studies with clear job profiles such as careers in the fields of business and pharmacy. On the other hand, students who come from parents with higher education tend to select medicine, architecture, economy and sociology.

Jens Peter Thomsen, education sociologist and one of the researchers behind the study, said that the study “challenges our view that everyone has equal opportunities.” According to Thomsen, the effort to encourage young students who come from working class families “to take advantage of the full range of opportunities they have,” must start early. How can opportunities be more available?

Read more: http://news.ku.dk/all_news/2013/2013.9/young-people-choose-education-based-on-parents-background/