Elective identity, social segregation and parental choice

The problem of unequal access(to schools)arises because children from less affluent backgrounds tend to achieve lower levels of attainment partly because they attend lower performing schools. This is widely taken as conclusive evidence that children from some social groups gain access to better educational provision than do others. This conclusion is uncomfortable for political elites who legitimate the status quo as meritocratic and is a focus of criticism by those who know it is not and are concerned to enhance social justice through greater social mobility.