What is the main issue that holds back young people in the UK and stops them from reaching their full potential? The obvious answer to this is financial poverty, but I believe that many face another barrier that is often overlooked: poverty of aspiration, hope and opportunity.
We quite rightly hear international NGOs talking about the importance of giving girls around the world access to education, teaching enterprise and entrepreneurship skills and building aspiration among young women so they can create a better future for themselves.
Yet, when we talk about the future of young people in the UK, the solution seems to be to give them benefits to alleviate poverty.
Which is the best approach? To me, the answer is obvious.
We can offer each household enough money so on paper they are no longer classed as poor, but what does this do long term? Does it instil a sense of self-actualisation and agency?
Last week at the Management Today 35 under 35 awards, one of the panelists said something that really struck a chord. “My mother always worked for herself, as did my grandmother. I don’t know any different. This has trickled down to my daughter,” she said.
In order for our young women to join the workforce and be in a position to get the top jobs, they need to see it being done. For a young girl growing up in a household with generations of worklessness, where does she look for inspiration?
I started life on a council estate in north-west London. At a young age I moved to live with my grandparents, both of whom worked: my grandfather worked for himself, while my grandmother had two and sometimes three jobs to make ends meet. Watching them gave me an appreciation for a good day’s work. I believe that the reason I now run my own business at the age of 31 and help others to do the same is strongly linked to my upbringing.
It may seem like a simple idea, but I believe that work and contribution are two things that give people a sense of agency and purpose. Accomplishment and the ability to do things yourself – not relying on others – starts the journey toward a self-sufficient lifestyle. I want all girls to grow into women with agency: this is the first step to truly believing you can be a leader.
There is a growing divide between the opportunities that girls from lower socio-economic groups and those from higher groups get. I have seen the difference in life outcomes when a girl grows up in “the system” without working parents or professional role models.
Why are we not championing that same ideals in the UK that we champion for those in other countries? I want girls to know they have value; I want them to know they can achieve anything they set their minds to; I want them to know they can lead. Every girl can. So let’s not trap them in a system that hinders the very essence of being able, and instead create ways to support their journey to independence.
I have an idea. Let’s not invest in the welfare system. Let’s instead invest in world leading, high quality education right up to the age of 21. Let’s invest in affordable housing to bring rents and utilities down. Let’s increase the minimum wage to a living wage and create jobs where people feel like more than a cog in a machine. This is how you combat poverty: both financial and poverty of aspiration, hope and opportunity.
Disagree? Let me know @NatDCampbell.
