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Most working-class parents would discourage their children from pursuing a career in television or film, according to a new report.
Research by Netflix and the National Youth Theatre found that 89 per cent of working-class parents would advise their children not to work in TV or film because they don't see either option as a viable career path.
Based on interviews with 2,000 parents and caregivers, the report found that “traditional” professions such as finance, medicine and law were seen as more “stable” industries to work in because of their often higher salaries.
The research also found that young people already working in the creative industries do not feel supported by their parents or carers, with three-quarters of respondents saying their parents felt their careers were a waste of their education.
Responding to the X/Twitter poll, one person replied: “It is an objective reality that the British film and TV industry is rife with nepotism and connections; working class young people have very little chance of breaking through.”
Meanwhile, another user added: “This also applies to the arts in general. It’s very sad and worrying for our future. If there were more opportunities in the arts, the world would be a much brighter and happier place.”
The latest research comes shortly after it was revealed in May that working-class representation in the film and television industry has plummeted to its lowest level in a decade.
Only eight per cent of creatives in the film and TV industries identified themselves as coming from a working-class background, while more than 60 per cent of those working in the same sector were middle or upper class, the highest level in 10 years.
According to research by the Creative Industries Evidence and Policy Centre at the University of Sheffield, the vast majority of people working in this field are from middle- or upper-class backgrounds.
“Sometimes I feel like I don’t belong at certain events and certain people I’ve met and I sometimes feel judged by them,” filmmaker Sam Oddie told Channel 4 News.
Despite winning multiple awards, she said she still struggles to do what she loves full-time.
“I feel like I had to earn it and I finally got to the point where I feel involved and welcomed, but there wasn't [that feeling] at first.”
