Aspect Social background
From a diversity-sensitive perspective, social background refers to the socio-cultural and economic heritage that every person carries with them through birth and socialisation. From a discrimination-sensitive perspective, social background is characterised by an unequal distribution of resources.
Social origin becomes a discriminatory factor when people are exposed to prejudice, treated in a derogatory manner, disadvantaged or excluded because of their social origin and position.
Social background in studies, research and employment
In the higher education context, students’ social background has a particular impact on factors such as access to higher education, academic success, the course of their studies and the financing of their studies. Mechanisms of exclusion, stemming from habitus, exclusionary academic cultures, precarious working conditions, a lack of networks and role models, also play a decisive role in academic careers within higher education. The latest education report shows that access to higher education remains highly socially selective: 78 out of 100 children from academic families go on to study at university, but only 25 out of 100 children from non-academic families. Social background has an impact throughout the entire educational pathway: high-achieving young people from less socially privileged families are less likely to pursue academic pathways and, after leaving school, are less likely to take up a degree course or a fully qualifying vocational training programme. Social differences persist throughout the degree programme itself. Students from non-academic families are more likely to fund their studies through paid work, report financial difficulties more frequently and face a higher risk of having to interrupt their studies. Social selectivity increases once again during the transition from a Bachelor’s to a Master’s degree. Students from academic families are more likely to continue their studies on a Master’s programme.
An online workshop and survey of first-generation academics conducted by Arbeiterkind.de shows that social background influences academic careers right up to the level of professorship. PhD students report that crucial knowledge about career paths, funding opportunities and the informal rules of the academic system is taken for granted, without being communicated transparently. At the same time, fixed-term contracts, periods of financial uncertainty and a lack of family financial reserves affect first-generation academics particularly severely and make it difficult for them to remain in academia. Even successful first-generation academics who have attained a professorship report a weaker sense of belonging to academic networks and the enduring effects of their social background within the academic world.
Making connections - empowerment and networking
There are now a large number of organisations and initiatives aimed at first-generation students that offer networks, exchange and guidance. A regional group of Arbeiterkind.de is active in Heidelberg. Once a month, committed members meet for a get-together in Marstallhof. Interested people are always welcome to attend. The Erste Generation Promotion association offers support for people who are the first in their family to start a doctorate. Netzwerk Chancen strengthens young people from non-academic families and supports them in starting their careers. The speed up Buddy association also offers mentoring for first-generation students
The inclusive network ADAN (Afro Deutsches Akademiker Netzwerk), which emerged from a Frankfurt student initiative, focuses on supporting Afro-German first-generation students.