The social and educational outcome of a cohort of rural children in relation to the racial and socio-economic groupings of their parents.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome after a generation of extra health and educational intervention among children whose antenatal and perinatal characteristics appeared influenced by racial origin and socio-economic status.


METHODS
Sixty-five of an original cohort of 103 children born in Cunnamulla, Queensland, 1974-75, remained in the area allowing educational and social outcomes to be assessed: 40 were Aboriginal, 25 were children of unemployed Caucasians and 38 were children of employed Caucasians. The criteria for a successful outcome on leaving school were progression to further education or finding paid employment.


RESULTS
Fifty-three of the children who had left school were assessed (the remaining 12 were still at school). Only four of the 30 assessed Aborigines had successful outcomes compared with 10 of the 13 employed Caucasians and three of the 10 unemployed Caucasians. Gender influenced success, with females under-represented such that among the 23 Aboriginal and unemployed Caucasian girls only one had a successful outcome; 13 of these 23 girls were pregnant before finishing secondary education.


CONCLUSIONS
The educational and social success of Aborigines is poor compared with the children of employed Caucasians. Outcomes for children of unemployed Caucasians are similar to those of Aborigines, suggesting failure of a range of government and community intervention programmes.
Cox
J W
JW
Paediatric Clinic, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D011793:Queensland; D012424:Rural Population; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People