This thesis deals with the unequal distribution of opportunities within Austria’s school
system and the situation of a group of individuals particularly affected by this fact:
children and youth from socially disadvantaged families. In this context, the possibilities
of Open Child and Youth Work (Offene Kinder- und Jugendarbeit) will be explored, which
frequently works tightly with poverty-stricken children and youth toward the elimination
of this disadvantage.
The first chapter addresses the topic of child and youth poverty in Austria and provides an
overview of the wide-ranging consequences of poverty. Furthermore, reasons for
inequalities of opportunity are presented, and the currently discussed alternative concepts
of comprehensive schools and all-day schools are introduced. The final part explores the
spectrum of tasks and the educational concept of the Open Child and Youth Work as well
as possible forms of cooperation with educational institutions.