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Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes
Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes

Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes

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This page contains a selection of third-party reports that provide evidence to support the argument above. It is not intended to be comprehensive. The sections of text below summarise relevant arguments from the reports cited. Click on the relevant report card to read the original report.
Can genetics help eliminate inequality?Can genetics help eliminate inequality?
Can genetics help eliminate inequality?
Nov 19, 2021

Educational attainment is only slightly impacted by genes

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We need to pay more attention to the role of genetic differences in determining educational outcomes. And we should reflect more than we do on whether society should value and reward those who are genetically endowed with high levels of cognitive intelligence over those with other talents that might be just as socially (and economically) valuable. After all, children have as little influence over how they fare in the genetic lottery as over whether they are born into a poor or rich family. However, we should also be careful not to overemphasise the influence of genetics on academic performance. This book, while making the case for paying more attention to genetics in relation to inequality, cites a study that found that only about 12% of variation in educational attainment was due to genetics. This is probably an underestimate, but it is still clear that the vast majority of variation in people’s education is influenced by other factors. Hard work plays an important role, of course. But socio-economic status also has a huge impact on educational outcomes, as explored elsewhere in this index.

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Benefits are falling in real terms
Benefits are falling in real terms
Children with special needs are not well enough supported
Children with special needs are not well enough supported
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes
Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
Higher levels of inequality make a wide range of social problems worse for everyone
Higher levels of inequality make a wide range of social problems worse for everyone
Income inequality is high by historical and European standards
Income inequality is high by historical and European standards
Levels of trust and social cohesion are low
Levels of trust and social cohesion are low
Levels of wellbeing are declining
Levels of wellbeing are declining
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money
Millions are unable to afford decent housing
Millions are unable to afford decent housing
Parenting support only makes a small difference
Parenting support only makes a small difference
People from poorer backgrounds are less likely to get to and do well at university
People from poorer backgrounds are less likely to get to and do well at university
People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school
People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school
People from poorer backgrounds earn less money
People from poorer backgrounds earn less money
Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health
Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks
Public services are often worse in deprived areas
Public services are often worse in deprived areas
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice
Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice
Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequality
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage
The nature of poverty is changing
The nature of poverty is changing
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities
The tax system could be designed to be more progressive
The tax system could be designed to be more progressive
There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance
There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance
There is little relationship between merit and reward
There is little relationship between merit and reward
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
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