AS SOCIOLOGY - SOCIAL CLASS: EXTERNAL

HOUSING & DIET

SOCIOLOGIST

HOWARD (2001)

EXPLANATION

Diet can result in lack of energy and concentration in class

Poor housing in deprived areas have 90% of schools failing. Crowded housing is more common in working class housing as a result of this working class children study less and are more distracted

EVALUATION

However schools provide Free School Meals which proves that children do get healthy meals at school

PARENTS ATTITUDES

SOCIOLOGIST

EXPLANATION

EVALUATION

LANGUAGE DEPRIVATION

DOUGLAS (1964)

It is said working parents pay less attention to children, also they are more likely to work in unskilled occupations.

Home background has a huge effect on the success of children, because middle class parents socialise their children with an emphasis on deferred gratification (long term rewards). On the other hand working class parents socialise their children with the value of immediate gratification (I want it now rather than later).

However schools should show encouragement as well not leaving it to the parents only.

SOCIOLGISTS

CULTURAL CAPITAL

SOCIOLOGIST

EXPLANATION

EVALUATION

BORDIEU (1984)

This is the opposite of cultural capital.

Differences exist because middle class are at an advantage as they socialise their children with museums, hobbies reading and languages.

BERNSTEIN (1975)

However, schools should enrich working class children's cultural capital.

EXPLANATION

FINANCIAL SUPPORT & FEAR OF DEBT

Linguistic deprivation.

  • Restricted code (Working class)
  • Elaborate code (Middle class)
    Middle class parents get spoken to in a more elaborated vocabulary, whereas the working class use a far more basic vocabulary and not challenging their children.

SOCIOLOGIST

CALANDER & JACKSON (2005)

EXPLANATION

EVALUATION

Going to university I seen as negative as it is expensive therefore they lack motivation to succeed.

Working class children lack financial support leading to material deprivation

However bursaries provided by schools allows them to buy equipment necessary for school.

WORKING CLASS SUBCULTURES

SOCIOLOGIST

EVALUATION

EXPLANATION

EVALUATION

Labelling is deterministic. Middle class have better chances in school.

SUGARMAN (1970)

Working class generally are socialised with fatalistic, collectivism, immediate gratification and present time.

However, schools should encouragement it shouldn’t be left to just the parents.