Explainining class differences in achievement Cultural deprivation theory blames the failings of the child on his/her background. This diverts the attention from the educational system which may contribute to, or account for, class differences in attainment. Cultural deprivation theorists argue that many working-class homes lack the books, educational toys and activities that would stimulate a child’s intellectual development. Bernstein and Young (1967) found that the way mothers think about and choose toys has an influence on their child’s intellectual development. Middle-class mothers are more likely to have more of an interest in their child’s intellectual development.
Cultural deprivation sociologists see three factors as accountable for working-class under-achievement. One such factor being the lack of intellectual stimulation. Working class families are less likely to give their children educational toys and activities that will stimulate their thinking and reasoning skills, and less likely to read them. This effects their intellectual development so that when they begin school they are at a disadvantage compared with middle-class children. Another factor responsible for working-class under-achievement is the restricted speech code.
He argues that this is due to working-class parents being less likely to support and encourage their child’s intellectual development at home, therefore they are intellectually deprived compared to the middle-class pupils they are at school with. Sociologists such as Douglas believe that working-class homes often lack the books, educational toys and activities that would stimulate a child’s intellectual development. Language is another factor that is believed to create a social class difference. Basil Bernstein (1975) identified a language difference between the middle-class and working-class. He said the working-class are more likely to use the ‘restricted code’ which include limited vocabulary and is based on the use of short and unfinished, grammatically simple sentences, whereas the middle-class are more likely to use the ‘elaborated code’ which includes a wider range of vocabulary and is based on longer and grammatically more complex sentences.
Evaluate the claim that the main reason why working-class children underachieve in education is their poverty. (20 Marks) It can be strongly argued that the claim for working-class children underachieving is due to their poverty, some reason for and against this are written below. One of the reasons for which enforces the statement above is the internal part, for example an internal factor of working-class (W.C) underachieving in school is the theory of labelling. The labelling theory is a theory that suggests teachers, mostly middle-class, are generally known for labelling their students. If a W.C student is labelled by a middle-class (M.C) teacher the student often believe that the teacher is right therefore they take that label they have been given and they become a self-fulfilling prophecy which means they accept the label they have been given and stay that standard, this is basically saying if a student is labelled negatively they stay negative because they are ‘fulfilling their own prophecy’ so they are now going to underachieve in education.
Children with a lack of cultural capital are more likely to use the restricted code (limited vocabulary) which disadvantages them at school as they feel excluded and are therefore less successful. Working-class children typically use the restricted code. Bourdieu argues that cultural capital affects academic achievement as it ties in with educational capital. Middle-class children with cultural capital are better equipped to meet the demands of the school curriculum.
This pessimistic view on the abilities of low socioeconomic income youth continues to influence their lack of academic performance. Children who are raised under harsh financial circumstances are deprived of the psychological and educational resources leaving them ill prepared and more likely to be unsuccessful adults in the future. Economics and race plays a factoring role in the quality of living conditions of many individuals. In the American society many people are struggling to make ends meet within their everyday lives. Many are living from paycheck to paycheck, essentially not always guaranteed the proper wages in order to meet all of their needs.
When looking at ethnic differences in achievement, sociologists often focus on the labels teachers give to children from different ethnic backgrounds. Their studies show that teachers often see Asian and black pupils as being far from the “perfect pupil.” Instead, they often label black children as disruptive and Asian children as passive. Negative labels may lead teachers to treat ethnic minority pupils differently, which often disadvantages them and results in failure in education. David Gilborn (1990) found teachers were quick to discipline black students, seeing them as a threat to their authority and safety. Teachers often misinterpreted their behaviour as threatening when no threat was intended.
Using material from Item A and elsewhere, asses the view that factors and processes within the school are the main cause of differences in the educational achievement of different social groups. Class differences can play a significant role in educational achievement be it under or over-achievement. Underachievement is associated with working-class children, as when they are young they are identified as W/C and then labelled. This view was put forward by Becker (1971) who identified in his study that teachers did not view W/C children as ideal pupils. Their work, appearance and conduct were all factors the teachers based their label around.
Cultural factors have a profound effect on social class differences in educational achievement, as evidenced firstly by the research of Gibson and Asthana, who surmised that the lower or serving classes are more likely to suffer from material deprivation in their home life, which in turn may hold the children back if they are deprived such adequate resources as a computer, correct textbooks or even writing materials, this can inhibit a child’s educational potential severely, as can living in a smaller house; the consequence of this being that they will be much less likely to possess a private, quiet study area of their own. In extreme situations, it is possible for children may have an inferior diet and an improperly heated house, which could result in illness and unexpected absences from school, in turn lower grades result. According to the research, the effects of material deprivation are cumulative, creating a cycle of deprivation. This would suggest that home background surely influences a child’s education. Next, the amount of money one’s family possesses and the quality of area one lives in affects the quality of school one is able to enrol in and attend.
Many EMG children also do not have that initial push of how important education is for them. They may have a fatalistic view on where they see themselves fitting into to society which may rub on to their children. Sugarman did a lot of research on this and found it as being one of the top reasons why children can fail in education. Children who believe their future is already predetermined will not put as much focus on education as they think they will only get working-class jobs. As parents may be new to the UK or not speak English they may not understand the educational system and the application process.