ABSTRACT
The second and related problem is that, whatever some believe to the contrary, generations of poverty and deprivation are potential killers of academic aspirations. Many working-class families fight for survival, their health ravaged by poisonous traffic fumes, living in damp and inadequate housing, or working in lousy jobs, if they have one, that pay a pittance and blight people’s dignity. Identify a pupil who might benefit from higher education and there is immediate pressure on the poor beggar to grab a job if one comes up.
