White working-class boys less likely to achieve potential

The study, published today by the Cabinet Office, said aspirations vary by gender, ethnicity, social class and area deprivation.

White working-class boys have lower aspirations and are less likely than other young people to achieve their potential, according to a government report.

Boys may also be at a further disadvantage because parents now have higher aspirations for their daughters than their sons, reversing the trends of previous generations.

The YMCA's head of policy, Stephen Matthews, said: "Some of these young people never leave their estate. We need to broaden their horizons by engaging them at a national level. The government has to recognise the importance of having a flexible approach towards motivating people from chaotic backgrounds."

Dr Richard Williams, chief executive officer of voluntary youth organisation Rathbone, said: "We do not accept that there is a culture of low expectation amongst young white men. Young people who have underachieved at school often want to get on, want to learn and want to get a job. A great deal more needs to be done by policy-makers to recognise and respond to this reality."

A spokeswoman from the Marine Society & Sea Cadets said: "Sixty per cent of our activities are based in areas of deprivation. We are working with children to build their confidence through a range of adventure activities and vocational courses. These enable young people to add to their educational qualifications."