Widening the Divide: Barriers for Marginalised Groups in Education and Justice

Despite global economic growth, inequality remains a persistent issue, affecting education, employment, health, and justice systems. Kyra Hanemaaijer’s dissertation explores the barriers that worsen inequalities for vulnerable groups in the Netherlands, such as ethnic minorities and individuals with mental health conditions.

The first study examines how Ramadan fasting affects academic outcomes for Muslim students. Hanemaaijer finds that when Ramadan overlaps with high-stakes exams, students perform worse, leading to lower graduation rates and higher dropout rates. This highlights the need to consider religious observances in exam scheduling.

The second study investigates biases in the Dutch criminal justice system. Following a high-profile case that increased public focus on the Moroccan-Dutch community (the assassination of lawyer Derk Wiersum on 18 September 2019), Hanemaaijer finds that Moroccan-Dutch defendants received significantly longer prison sentences compared to others.

The final study explores the link between mental health, crime, and victimization. Individuals who are ever diagnosed with a mental health disorder are much more likely to offend or become victims, even when controlling for family background by comparing them to their siblings without such diagnoses. While the study does not establish causality, it underscores the importance of addressing mental health to reduce crime and victimization.