Social Class Flashcards
Describe the trends in achievement by social class
W/c more likely to be streamed and set low.
W/c more likely to have a negative label by their teachers
W/c more likely to be poor readers
W/c less likely to go to HE.
Describe the difference between external factor and internal factors
External factors: factors that affect the child’s education outside of school. Eg, housing.
Internal factors: factors internal to school that affect a child’s education. Eg, teacher labelling.
speech codes as a cultural deprivation theory
Spoken about by BASIL BERNSTIEN
There are 2 types of codes:
1) Elaborated code (Context free)
2) Restricted code (Context bound)
Discuss parental education as a cultural deprivation theory
Parental attitudes and education play a key part in a child’s educational achievement
DOUGLAS found that W/c parents place less value on their child’s education compared to M/c.
Define Subcultures as a form of cultural deprivation theory
BARRY SUGARMAN proposed that w/c children are socialised into a completely opposite culture to that dominant in society.
they follow:
Fatalism
present time orientation
Immediate gratification
Collectivism
Evaluation of Cultural deprivation theory.
Sure start centres introduced by the labour government aimed to tackle the issue of cultural deprivation, However, they disbanded due to the lack of funds when conservatives came into power.
Myth of Cultural deprivation.
NELL KEDDIE defines cultural deprivation as a myth and victim blaming and that failures of school are simply blamed on cultural backgrounds.
She argues that w/c aren’t culturally deprived but culturally different.
Diet and health as a Material deprivation theory.
According to HOWARD, young people from w/c have a lower intake of energy, Vitamins and minerals thus leading to a weaker immune system.
this is because they cant afford nutritional meals
This is an issue, as having bad health could result in taking days off school thus missing out on vital lessons that could help educational achievement.
WILKINSON points out that among 10 yo, the lower the social class, the likely they are to have hyperactivity, anxiety and conductive disorders - all hindering their education in some way.
Define housing as a material deprivation theory.
w/c often live in an overcrowded small house.
This impacts a child’s education as they aren’t able to concentrate on their studies. it also leads to them having a disturbed sleep and often impairs development for young children.
If they are in temporary houses, they are constantly worried about where they are going to sleep and eat thus cant focus on education.
Discuss financial cost of education as a form of material deprivation theory
w/c aren’t able to afford any extra items needed for schools. Eg, text books.
this impacts their educational achievement as their child is missing out on fundamental materials that could enhance their child’s education. SMITH AND NOBLE “poverty acts as a barrier”
W/c children also have to make do with hand-me-downs or any second hand items. this leads to the child being isolated, stigmatised and bullied by their peers. Furthermore, it can also affect the child’s identity and lower their self-esteem
Outline cultural capital as an influence on educational achievement.
BORDIEU argues that material and cultural capital are interrelated when it comes to their influence on education.
m/c people have:
Economic Capital - Wealth
Educational Capital - Wealth of qualifications
Cultural capital - Wealth of culture
Outline test for Bordieu’s ideas
Done by Alice Sullivan
Held a questionnaire survey for 465 pupils in 4 schools.
He assessed cultural capital through reading habits TV habits etc.
He found that those who read more complex fiction and watched documentaries had wider vocabulary and greater cultural knowledge compared to those who didn’t. Indicating cultural capital.
However, Cultural capital only accounted for part of class differences. If w/c and m/c had the same cultural capital, m/c class child would still do better. So greater resources and aspirations from m/c families explain the rest.
