Educational opportunities for FirstGens: The fight against social inequality!

Educational opportunities for FirstGens: The fight against social inequality!

In Germany, social background has a significant influence on admission to study. Current figures prove this: 79 out of 100 children from academic families decide to study, while only 27 out of 100 of children from non-academic households dare to go to university. This path is particularly challenging for so-called first-generation students, who often receive only limited family support in higher education. Many of them finance their studies independently and have to deal with uncertainties that their fellow students from academic families are not familiar with. The “FirstGen Success Stories” project of Faculty 4 at the University of Stuttgart, which is supported by the Prorectorate for Diversity and International Affairs, provides information about the special work and challenges of these FirstGen students. Here, personal stories and experiences that have shaped these students are made visible in order to point out their often difficult paths to university and thus support them. uni-stuttgart.de reports on the interviews conducted by FirstGen students Chira Emken and Laura Hansen with faculty members.

The difficulties faced by FirstGen students are complex. A key aspect is the inadequate pre-advice and support structure that they find in the university landscape. Consultation hours with course leaders and professors are an important tool for overcoming hurdles and clarifying questions. Students should take advantage of the opportunity to discuss topics such as term papers and theses, extensions of deadlines or personal difficulties during office hours. It is recommended to attend these consultation hours several times, especially if you are considering a thesis with a professor or a further field of study. These contacts can help to build a positive relationship with teachers, which in turn can have a beneficial effect on one's academic career. uni-frankfurt.de highlights how important such relationships can be to success in higher education.

Educational opportunities and social inequality

Education plays a crucial role in career, income, health and social participation. Article 7 of the Basic Law obliges the state to educate all children, but it is clear that educational success depends heavily on social background. Statistics show that almost 50% of people from low-educated families achieve vocational training, but only 17% complete a degree, while over 50% of children with academics overcome this hurdle. Despite measures to expand education, the connection between social background and educational success has hardly changed. Education refers to both imparted knowledge and formal qualifications. bpb.de illustrates that the German education system is seen as a “sorting machine” that can increase social inequalities.

The inequalities begin in early childhood and are strongly influenced by parental support. In socially disadvantaged areas, educational conditions are often inadequate, which has a negative impact on children's development. These early differences have long-term effects on cognitive abilities and later educational decisions. More than 50% of children from academic families study, while children from disadvantaged families often start their working lives without any training. Policy efforts to reduce these inequalities have not been fully successful, as school qualifications and grades remain crucial factors for career opportunities later in life.