01-2 More about the issue
Are you a snob when it comes to education?
Prejudice - not a nice word.
But there's a snobbery about education that makes some people praise academic qualifications, and they think that is the only measure of personal success.
For many young people they are not. They have been misdirected because parents make value judgements about the options available to young people - and choose what they think is the best.
An Edge survey found that 35% of parents think that practical and vocational learning is for those who don't do well at school.
We have to say that those parents are wrong.
Practical and vocational learning is the gateway to the working world and a successful career.
Do you have an opinion about any of the issues raised on this website?
[ 0% Agree ] | [ 0% Disagree ]
It's tough being the parent of a teenager.
Look at what our survey¹ found:
- of parents feel that there is a lot of pressure to compare their child's achievements with those of their peers.
- of parents believe that other children's parents exaggerate their child's achievements - and 10% of parents admit to doing it themselves.
- of all parents hope their child will go to university but only 30% said that they think their child will take that route.
- of all parents (and 41% of high-earning professionals) believe that their child can fulfil their educational potential only by going to university.
¹ Source: Edge Parents' Panel survey 2007, based on 5,271 respondents
It's a minefield, tread carefully... there is a way out.