Do role models help to widen participation? ...

an investigation into the effect of social background on choice of role model

an article by Matt Cochrane (Edge Hill University) published in Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning Volume 12 Number 1 (April 2010)

Abstract
This paper compare current research into role models with research into the choices of role model used by children when considering future careers; specifically how cultural and social influences play a part for children at Year 9, aged 13-14. In line with much current research, there is evidence that people from the wider family network are used as role models in preference to teachers. This has implications in the widening participation context, since the role models available to the children generally have the same social and cultural background, and this may serve as one of the mechanisms which tends to perpetuate the shortfall in HE participation from disadvantaged backgrounds. An analysis of the data seems to show that young people are acutely aware of the function of role models in helping them move forward, but that they lack access to the sort of role modelling that would be of the most use to them. It is likely that role models from the family network have been influencing these young people from an early age, and supports the idea now gaining ground that careers advice needs to start much earlier than has been the case recently.

Hazel’s comment:
The link to the full article appears to be available only to Staffordshire University staff.

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