Schools can end distress

POVERTY and disadvantage put young Australians on the road to a less fulfilling life and schools could play a critical role in breaking the cycle, a new study led by Flinders University says.

However, the study of more than 3500 Australian 13-14 year olds confirms their experience of social exclusion at school, in terms of engagement, teacher support and bullying victimisation.

“The risk factors for social exclusion at school are worse for young adolescents who live in low-income households or who experience poverty,” says Flinders University sociologist Professor Gerry Redmond.

“Adolescents who live with a disability, care for a family member, speak a language other than English at home or identify as Indigenous are all more likely than other adolescents to be living in poverty.

“Feedback from marginalised young people in the study shows how the experience of disadvantage and exclusion affects their life satisfaction, which is a predictive indicator of wellbeing and mental health in adulthood.

“If schools don’t have the resources and systems to counter or fully address the needs of marginalised young people, then there’s clearly the need for wider reforms and actions to support these young people’s situation.”

Study authors say the weakness in school systems is the handing back of responsibility.