2. The Real Role of Education for Society - Marxist perspective Flashcards
What is the Marxist view on education?
Education is a key institution that serves the needs of the ruling class
What do Marxists see education as a form of?
Form of social control - young people are encouraged to conform and accept their social position
Where should working class children/middle class end up?
Working-class children to do working class jobs, middle class children to take positions of power
What does the meritocratic education system make out?
Those who fail in education do so because of their lack of ability or effort and only have themselves to blame
Whose Theory is the class reproduction theory?
Louis Althusser
What did Althusser believe was reproduced in education?
-An efficient and obedient labor force
-Necessary skills for a capitalist economy
-Workers who accept their position in society without question
Define false class consciousness
Acceptance of your social position through failure to recognize what is and is not in your best interests.
What was in order to stop working class rebellion?
WC need to assume the ruling class way is the only way it can be
What is the ideological state apparatus main function?
Main function is to pass on the dominant ideology of the ruling class.
Whose theory is cultural reproduction?
Pierre Bourdieu
Bourdieu - What are his 3 main concepts?
-Habitus
-Field
-Capital
Define Habitus
Habitus is your understanding of life. Your ‘norm’ and ‘what is natural to you’
Define field
Life is a game with different fields, each field has its own set of rules
Bourdieu - What are the 3 capitals?
-Cultural capital
-Social capital
-Economic capital
Define Cultural capital
Your social resources - your understanding of life, norms and values and experiences. The skills your equipped with during socialisation
Define Social capital
Family connections. Your social network.
Define economic capital
Financial resources - having plenty of money brings more choices and opportunities. Housing, education, food, cars. Wealth is usually associated with power
What does Pierre argue Habitus, field, cultural, social and economic capital leads to?
Bourdieu argues these lead to the reproduction of class inequalities,
Bourdieu - What does the education system devalue?
Working class skills, knowledge, ways of speaking and behaving are devalued by the education system, giving them less chance of success
What does Illich argue?
Schools are repressive institutions
Why does Illich argue schools are repressive institutions?
-They promote conformity, acceptance of inequalities
-Do not encourage critical, independent through
-Reward those who accept the school regime
-Put barriers in the way of those who do not conform
What does Illich mean by wanting to see schools abolished
De-schooling
Why does Freire see schools as repressive?
Learners are conditioned to accept oppressive relations of domination and subordination - obey teachers and accept superior knowledge.
What do Bowles and Gintis argue schools do?
Schools mirror the world of work in order to prepare pupils for manual labor.