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.
Some sociologists believe that cultural factors are the most important cause of social differences in educational achievement, but this is not the only factor that causes a difference, Material Depravation can affect educational achievement in other ways. There are three main factors of Cultural Deprivation: Intellectual development, Language and Attitudes and Values. Sociologists such as JWB Douglas (1964) and Herbert Hyman (1967) believe that cultural deprivation factors are the most important cause for social class difference in educational achievement. Douglas found that working-class pupils scored on average, lower than those from a middle-class background. 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.
They are able to manipulate the education system to their advantage which means their children have a better chance at doing well in school. Disconnected-local choosers and semi-skilled choosers are working-class parents who have a lack of cultural capital and therefore their child’s academic progress suffers as they are usually sent to ‘local’ schools which they aren’t necessarily best suited for. Children who have cultural capital also have an elaborated code (wider vocabulary) which gives them an advantage at school as it is the code used by teachers and in textbooks. The elaborated code is typically used by middle class and helps with their academic achievement. 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.
Assess the claim that ethnic differences in educational achievement are primarily the result of school factors (20 marks) Sociological research has challenged the view that ethnic differences in achievement reflect innate differences of intelligence and ability; this has become a view that very few sociologists now put forward. Ethnicity refers to the shared cultural traditions and history, which are distinct from other groups in society. The level of achievement of different ethnic groups varies greatly in Great Britain. This may be due to factors such as home background, class, language and in-school factors. Recent studies highlight the effects of racism.
Yet another factor responsible for working-class under-achievement is the working-class subculture. Cultural deprivations recognize three aspects of working-class subculture that contribute to under-achievement. One aspect is immediate satisfaction – wanting rewards now rather than being willing to make sacrifices and working hard for future rewards different to the deferred gratification practised by the middle class. The second aspect is fatalism – the belief that ‘whatever will be, will be’. Working-class children don’t believe they can improve their position through their own individual efforts.
Public school allows more interaction and socializing with other children, while home schooling concentrates on the how child progresses educationally, as the needs of the child are met. It is the goal of the parent home schooling to see their child succeed. Many parents would want to home school the child because of a hundred percent involvement in the child’s education, this is a major decision for any parent, but I know most parents wants to know how much their child is progressing on a daily basis, what are they learning and knowing they are a part of their child’s education. Most parents think it might be expensive to home school but it is not, most learning material can easily be found online for free. There is a famous quote by John F. Kennedy “The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.” As a parent, people around us might view home schooling as better especially those that home schooled as a child growing up.
Fundamentally, one factor which contributes to the ethnic differences within the school place is due to the labeling theory. This is when a particular definition is attached to a student such as ‘smart’ or ‘stupid’ this often leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy as the student begins to believe the label they have been branded as and therefore begins to act upon it. Some sociologists have focused on how black pupils are labeled negatively which has a direct impact on their education. Gillborn & Youdell (2000) found that black pupils were more likely to receive discipline from their teacher although fellow classmates may have been acting in a similar way. This leads to further problems as conflict begins to emerge between teachers and pupils as black pupils are seen as anti-authority due to the misinterpretation of behaviour black boys especially, are labelled negatively leading exclusions which affect their educational attainment as missing lessons means that their knowledge is being limited.
Cultural factors play a huge part in causing social class differences in educational achievement, these factors include things such as cultural deprivation and capital which stem from a young age and influence achievement. Cultural deprivation refers to being deprived of basic norms, values, attitudes, language and experiences needed to do well in school. Middle class are the type that typically are not culturally deprived as from a young age middle class parents would read intellectual books, buy educational toys and take their children to theatres etc. Research by sociologists has been carried out distributing 450 questionnaires to pupils over four schools to test cultural deprivation. The questionnaires asked questions about reading and TV viewing habits.
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.
There are many different factors that cause social class differences in educational achievement. In this essay I will be discussing the cultural factors of poverty and material deprivation, cultural deprivation, family socialisation and factors within the school. Some sociologists argue that material factors and the home background of students affect the attainment of students. They believe to due to the lack of income from working class parents, the students don’t receive a proper diet with vitamins, meaning they lack concentration. Also they will have a weaker immune system causing them to miss school due to illness.