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‘Do Poor People’s Dreams Ever Come True?’ Educational Aspirations and Lived Realities in Urban Slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Author

Listed:
  • Maheen Sultan

    (BRAC University)

  • Jennifer Seager

    (George Washington University)

  • Sabina F. Rashid

    (BRAC University)

  • Mohammed Ashraful Haque

    (Innovations for Poverty Action Bangladesh)

  • Sahida Khondaker

Abstract

Bangladesh has made progress in advancing adolescent girls’ education, but there remain substantial evidence gaps around age and gender differences in motivations, retention, and access to education for adolescents living in urban slums. This article draws on quantitative and qualitative data collected in 2017 and 2018 by Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) with adolescents aged 10–17 across three low-income areas in Dhaka to explore adolescent educational attainment, aspirations, and environmental factors that constrain both. We find high educational and professional aspirations among adolescents and their parents, with parental support being an important predictor of both current enrolment and adolescent aspirations. Location is also an important predictor of adolescent aspirations and enrolment, highlighting the importance of infrastructure and services, integration into the city, and stability of the community (including schools and facilities), along with higher incomes and better employment opportunities for households.

Suggested Citation

  • Maheen Sultan & Jennifer Seager & Sabina F. Rashid & Mohammed Ashraful Haque & Sahida Khondaker, 2021. "‘Do Poor People’s Dreams Ever Come True?’ Educational Aspirations and Lived Realities in Urban Slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(5), pages 1409-1428, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:33:y:2021:i:5:d:10.1057_s41287-021-00439-4
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-021-00439-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicola Banks, 2012. "Urban poverty in Bangladesh: causes, consequences and coping strategies," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 17812, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    2. Deon Filmer & Lant Pritchett, 2001. "Estimating Wealth Effects Without Expenditure Data—Or Tears: An Application To Educational Enrollments In States Of India," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 38(1), pages 115-132, February.
    3. Youjin Hahn & Asadul Islam & Kanti Nuzhat & Russell Smyth & Hee-Seung Yang, 2018. "Education, Marriage, and Fertility: Long-Term Evidence from a Female Stipend Program in Bangladesh," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 66(2), pages 383-415.
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    7. Kingdon, Geeta Gandhi, 2005. "Where Has All the Bias Gone? Detecting Gender Bias in the Intrahousehold Allocation of Educational Expenditure," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 53(2), pages 409-451, January.
    8. Karin Heissler, 2011. "‘We Are Poor People So What is the Use of Education?’ Tensions and Contradictions in Girls’ and Boys’ Transitions from School to Work in Rural Bangladesh," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 23(5), pages 729-744, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aubrey Keeler Saunders & Samuel Brazys, 2022. "Does Distance Matter? Proximity to Exporting Firms on Child Labour and Education Rates: Evidence from Bangladesh," Working Papers 202206, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.

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