Playing the game or played by the game? Young drug users’ educational trajectories

Abstract

This article analyses the relationship between cannabis use and educational trajectories among 42 young drug users, recruited at addiction treatment centres in Denmark. Quantitative research shows regular cannabis use to be associated with poor school performance and drop-out. However, these studies do not pay much attention to differences between educational tracks or to the links between the educational field and other fields. Drawing on a Bourdieusian framework we analyse the interviewees’ involvement in four different fields: the academic field, the field of vocational schools, the labour market field and the artistic field. We contribute to the literature on post-16 educational trajectories by showing how successful ‘investments’ in education depend not only on available resources (capitals), but also on the ability to navigate in an increasingly complex educational system. Furthermore, we show how regular cannabis plays into the ‘illusio’ of different fields, challenging the interviewees’ playing of educational games.

Keywords:

• Youth
• educational trajectories
• drugs
• Bourdieu
• qualitative methods

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Rockwool Foundation in Denmark for funding parts of this study as well as the two anonymous reviewers whose comments helped improve the article.

Notes

1. From 1 January 2014 new legislation was introduced in Denmark targeting unemployed people under the age of 30. Those without any qualifying education are now directed to enrol in education to be eligible for benefits. If not ‘education ready’, one has to participate in activation and training programmes (Ministry of Employment 2013).

2. A ‘production school’ is a school programme aimed at students who are not seen as ready to start upper secondary education after compulsory schooling. The programme evolves around practical work in a workshop and youths can be enrolled for up to a year to get ready for formal education.