The Impact of Parental Work Experience and Education on Environmental Knowledge,Concern and Behaviour among Adolescents

This paper derives from a larger study of the correlates of environmental concern among adolescents in Victoria, Australia. It begins by identifying some of the factors likely to lead to variation in environmental concern with socio‐economic status (SES). It then examines empirical data offering some indication of greater environmental concern among adolescents whose parents have had an above average length of edu‐ cation. The article concludes by arguing for a socially critical approach to environmental education in lower SES areas that takes full account of the economic and cultural circumstances of youth and their gender identity.