Assess the Importance of Cultural Factors in Causing Social Class Differences in Educational Achievement

405 Words2 Pages
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. More affluent parents ensure a wider and overall healthier choice of schooling as they are it is probable they will own two cars or have the disposable income to pay for public transport to send their children to a wider range of schools. Also, it is true that house prices in the catchment areas of the top-quality schools can be up to 20% higher than similar houses in other. At the other end of the social class spectrum, those attending school in the most deprived areas are far more likely to suffer disruptions in school due to issues such as gang related violence. This evidence further illuminates our understanding that one’s location is a major factor in educational achievement. The Functionalist theory
Open Document