Differential Educational achievement Class (External Factors: Cultural deprivation) )

Question 1

What are the 4 main factors which link to cultural deprivation

Answer 1

1. Working class Subcultures
2. Speech Patterns
3. Parental interests
4. Parental education and attitudes

Question 2

Working class subcultures

Answer 2

Hyman: W/c have different values on education –> Less motivated

Sugarman: Argues that the working class has a different culture to the middle class which is a barrier to educational achievement:
–> Immediate Gratification
–> Fatalism
They do not receive this from schools therefore they’re more likely to drop out/leave school early in order to get paying jobs

Question 3

Speech Patterns

Answer 3

Bernstein identified that the working class and the middle class have different language codes.

–> Working class uses a restricted code which involves simple grammar, limited vocab and gestures
–> The Middle class use an elaborated code which involves complex grammar, full sentences and more abstract ideas.
This puts MC students at an advantage at school as teachers, textbooks and the education system tend to use elaborate code

Question 4

Parental interests

Answer 4

Douglas argues that parental attitudes to education and their own levels of education often have a big impact on educational achievement.
–> w/c parents place less value on education and therefore are less likely to push their children academically and visit school less often and as a result the children have lower levels of motivation and achievement

Question 5

Parental education and interests

Answer 5

Evans: Most w/c place high value on education because they know it will lead to a better future

Feinstein: the parents levels of education impact achievement as middle class parents socialise their children differently, in particularly terms of parenting style where middle class parents are more consistent in terms of discipline and educational behaviours

Question 6

Evaluation Working class subcultures

Answer 6

If there is a culture class with working class families and schools, maybe it is the school that needs to change. It is the schools fault for failing to meet their needs. Therefore we should focus our attention on what happens in schools and the cultural values they promote

KEDDIE: there is no cultural deprivation but merely a cultural difference. Education is largely based on white-middle class culture, which disadvantages those from other backgrounds.

Question 7

Evaluation Parental Interest in education

Answer 7

Many w/c parents are very concerned and ambitious for their children’s success in education.
Many working class parents work long hours or have zero hour contracts where they do not get paid if they leave work.
–> Not interacting with school may be more about financial costs than lack of interests.

Question 8

Evaluation education and attitude

Answer 8

There is some evidence that schools with mainly working class pupils have less effective systems of parent-school contact which makes it harder for parents to keep in touch with their children’s progress.

This explains more clearly why some parents do not attend parents evenings or school events rather than their level of education

Question 9

Evaluation Speech codes

Answer 9

There is little sociological evidence to prove that children from lower working class families use language in this way. Many argue that the interviews that have been conducted were flawed and proved little