DASH reports educational success despite racism and deprivation

posted on 24 November, 2014

Racism and deprivation is still a common experience for young people from ethnic minorities, yet despite this, high proportions are gaining a degree.

Analysis of DASH findings show that:

• Throughout their teenage years ethnic minorities had better mental health than their White British peers despite reporting more racism
• Racism has a measureable harmful effect on the mental health of young people in every ethnic group including White British.
• As shown in the graph below, by their early 20s just as many or even more ethnic minorities completed a university degree compared with the White British, despite more deprivation in childhood.
• Ethnic minorities continue to report, however, high levels of racism which could frustrate their aspirations. The figures in red show the percentage that reported racism. About half of Black Africans, Black Caribbean and Pakistanis/Bangladeshis reported racism in their 20s.
• Close family relationships, diverse friendships, and attendance to a place of worship were associated with better mental health and may support continuing resilience in adulthood.