GML

Immigrants in the Education System

Why do children from families with an ethnic background perform comparatively worse in the German education system? To answer this question, families’ investment options are more closely examined. It is argued that families use the resources, qualities, positions, goods, etc. available to them to enable their children to achieve higher educational qualifications. However, immigrant families are subjected to particular restrictions in this investment process, since they often lack the significant resources required. Thus, systematic differences in the level of resources available to different population groups frequently result in very different strategies for investment in education.

Kristen, C. & Granato, N. (2004): Bildungsinvestitionen in Migrantenfamilien. Erscheint in: Bade, K. J., Bommes, M. & Münz, R. (Hrsg.): Migrationsreport 2004. Frankfurt: Campus Verlag.