The following chapter explores issues related to the underrepresentation of young working-class males in higher education (HE). The lack of working-class men in HE, in comparison to other social groups, has been a regular feature of the media and political discourse in the UK for over a decade. Much of this discussion is driven by ideological motivations, which fall outside of the arenas of widening access and social justice. They tend to emphasise the apparent ‘anti-educational’ nature of working-class masculine identities. Recent research has, however, challenged such deficit-laden discourses. This work offers some insights into the patterns and barriers to HE for working-class males and propose various policy-focused solutions. Our discussion further examines aspects of belonging, including values and priorities, thoughts of entering and leaving university, and academic and social engagement. The combined insights and lived experiences of two working-class male academics assist the reader to unpick issues of access and of (a sense of) belonging in HE, using relevant theorists, to develop essential understandings for practitioners both within and beyond universities. The chapter closes by considering implications for policy and practice, discussing what may need to happen for a more equitable approach to engagement with working-class males within HE to be realised.
Deposit Date
Dec 4, 2024
Peer Reviewed
Peer Reviewed
Book Title
Student Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Practice
