identity - class Flashcards
(8 cards)
what are the five factors of why class can affect identity?
- habitus (archer)
- symbolic capital and violence
- ‘Nike’ identities
- educational success
- self exclusion
What is symbolic capital?
What is gained by pupils who have been socialised into middle-class tastes and preferences due to schools having a middle class habitus and are deemed to have worth or value
How do schools react to the working-class habitus?
they devalue it, so that their tastes (clothing/accent) are deemed to be tasteless and worthless
What is the main principle of the Symbolic Capital and Symbolic Violence theory about identity?
Those who are socialised into middle class tastes gain ‘symbolic capital’ or status from the school, while WC habitus is devalues and tastes are seen as worthless/tasteless. Bourdieu: withholding symbolic capital is ‘symbolic violence’ reproduces class structure and keeps WC ‘in their place’. WC feel they must change how they present themselves to succeed.
What is the main principle of the ‘Nike’ Identities theory about identity?
Symbolic violence makes WC seek alternate ways of creating status, by creating meaningful class identities by investing heavily in ‘styles’; consuming brands. Conflicts with school dress codes so plays a part in rejection of higher education (not for them)/self exclude from education
What is the main principle of Ingram’s WC identity and Educational Success theory about identity?
two groups of WC Catholic boys. WC identities were inseparable to belonging in WC areas (gives them feeling of belonging) because of connection to neighbourhood - key part of their habitus. felt pressure to fit in, grammar school boys felt tension between habituses. Symbolic violence = to succeed they have to abandon their WC identity
What is the main principle of Evan’s Self-Exclusion theory about identity?
WC still get clash between WC identity and the habitus of the higher education, becomes a barrier to success due to process of self exclusion.
What was Evan’s study of Self-Exclusion?
21 WC girls from south London, comprehensive study for A Levels, reluctant to apply to elite unis and few who did felt sense of hidden barriers/not fitting in. Strong attachment to locality (only four moved away)
