MARXISM education functions

Question 1

what is the first educational function according to BOWLES AND GINTIS?

Answer 1

REPRODUCES INEQUALITIES

Question 2

what is the first part of reproducing inequalities?

Answer 2

corresponding principle

• norms and values taught in school are the same as the capitalist ones.
• everything we do in school mirrors the working day/ways.
• occurs through invisible learning with a hidden curriculum.

Question 3

what is the impact of corresponding principles?

Answer 3

• it maintains a cycle of inequality from generation to generation.
• makes it easier for future capitalist employers to exploit workers, because they think it’s normal

Question 4

what are some examples of how education reflect work?

Answer 4

• timetables
• uniforms
• grades

Question 5

what is the second part of reproducing inequalities?

Answer 5

social class and achievement

• how social class affect how well people do in exams/work
• those in higher classes do better in exams
• those in higher classes have more access to things to help them achieve.

Question 6

who performed better in GCSE results to do with classes?

Answer 6

• higher classes= 8 GCSESs A*-C

- lower classes= struggled to achieve 5 GCSEs at A*-C

Question 7

how much is the fee per year for Harrow School?

Answer 7

£41,775/year

Question 8

what is the second function of education according to ALTHUSSER?

Answer 8

LEGITIMISES INEQUALITIES

Question 9

what is Ideological State Apparatus?

Answer 9

a tool that transmits ruling class ideas and beliefs.

Question 10

what is the impact of Ideological State Apparatus?

Answer 10

it keeps the Bourgeoisie in power by justifying inequalities.

Question 11

education promotes meritocracy, what does this do to society?

Answer 11

it causes us to not question the system when we fail, so there will not be an uprising.

Question 12

what is False Class Consciousness?

Answer 12

people do not know/understand their exploitation/situation?

Question 13

what is the impact of ‘false class consciousness.’

Answer 13

it helps maintain capitalism, as people will not question the system, so there will not be a revolution.

Question 14

who are NEO-MARXISTS?

Answer 14

marxists who believe that people have some free-will and that our actions are not determined for us.

Question 15

which neo-marxist conducted a study called ‘Learning to Labour - the Lads.’

Answer 15

Paul Willis

Question 16

give some details on Willis’ study.

Answer 16

• 12 working class boys

- interviews and observations

Question 17

what were the 12 boys in Willis’ study doing?

Answer 17

• formed an ‘anti-school’ subculture
• rejecting school
• truantcy, anti-authority and aggressive

Question 18

why were the 12 boys acting this way?

Answer 18

• they valued their class status and backgrounds
• wanted to follow in father’s footsteps
• they wanted manual labour jobs, to ‘prove their masculinity,’ and ‘have a laff,’ while at work

Question 19

did the boys mirror the behaviour for work at school?

Answer 19

YES, it prepared them for work.

Question 20

what sort of behaviour did the boys demonstrate, according to WILLIS?

Answer 20

agency

-independent from system

Question 21

what did Willis’ study show was exaggerated?

Answer 21

false class consciousness, as the boys choose to go against the system and not conform to the rules

Question 22

what is the argument against this study?

Answer 22

the boys are still benefitting capitalism and propping it up, as they aspire to go into full time, low paid and low skilled work.