Neo Marxism

Question 1

What is neo Marxist

Answer 1

Willis is influenced by Marxist idea that education helps to prop up capitalism & reproduce legitimacy class inequalities also supports myth of meritocracy.
he reject idea that pupil are passive to indoctrination and some can resist control which is illustrated through anti school subcultures reject rule and values.

Question 2

What are Neo Marxist view on education?

Answer 2

Willis combined his Marxist ideas with interpretive sociology and conducted detailed qualitative research in schools.
referred to as micro research as qualitative research methods enable sociologists to conduct small-scale in-depth research and to ‘up close’ to the social actors they are studying.
-Willis studied a small sample of 12 WC boys during the last 18 months in school and he followed them as they made their transition into work.
-These lads were part of an anti-school subculture and did not passively accept the hierarchical system of schools.

Question 3

Evaluate Neo Marxist idea

Answer 3

• uses a small sample to conduct research. So cannot generalise outcome. As findings not representative
• behaviour could change demand characteristics escalation.
  -over romanticised view of antischool subcultures

-engaged in depth micro research.
- he didn’t wish to generalise
- he accepted antischool subcultures are not typical of all subcultures.