Ethnicity - External factors

Question 1

Cultural deprivation: Intellectual and linguistic skills.

Give a criticism of this:

Answer 1

Cultural capital deprivation theorists see a lack of intellectual and linguistic skills as a major cause of under achievement for many minority children. They believe that many children from low-income black families lack intellectual stimulation and enriching experiences which leaves them poorly prepared for school - as they have not developed problem solving and critical thinking skills. For example, Bereiter and Englemann (1966) believe that the language spoken by low-income black American families is ungrammatical, disjointed and incapable of expressing abstract ideas.

However, Gilborn and Mirza (2000) found that Indian pupils do very well despite often not having English as their home language.

Question 2

Cultural deprivation: Attitudes and values.

Answer 2

Cultural deprivation theorists link educational achievement to differences in values, attitudes and aspirations. They argue that some black children have been socialised into a subculture that instils a fatalistic attitude that emphasises immediate gratification. This discourages them from valuing education and means their mentality clashes with the education system, leaving them unequipped for success.

Question 3

Cultural deprivation: Parental support

Answer 3

Moynihan (1965) argued that because many black families are headed by a lone mother, children are deprived of adequate are because of financial problems, and they are also denied a male role model. He saw cultural deprivation as a cycle where inadequately socialised children from unstable families go on to fail school and become inadequate parents themselves. Furthermore, Sewell (2009) says that it is not the absence of fathers, but the absence of a nurturing or ‘tough love’. This results in black boys finding it hard to overcome the emotional and behavioural difficulties of adolescence.