Outline and briefly evaluate the importance of education in creating and reinforcing identity Flashcards
point 1
In education it is important how teachers see pupils. Our understanding of ourselves is in some ways created by how others, for example teachers label us, Interactionists believe that this label is likely to lead to us behaving as we have been labelled and thus conforming to the expectations
example 1
Cicourel and Kituse found that careers advisors made assumptions about pupils based on little more than their social class background, those who dressed and spoke as middle class tended to get advice to aim higher in careers than those who appeared to be working class.
explain 1
This shows that labeling is a way in which education creates and reinforces identities as this led to different progression routes for children from different class backgrounds as the students conformed to these expectations, leading to different identities in the future because the were socialized into these identities by the careers advisors.
counter 1
However some sociologists argue the importance of the family in creating and reinforcing values, Oakley shows how gender roles are socialised in the family by parents who talk differently to their children depending on their gender (‘big boys don’t cry’) and the activities they are channelled into (‘ballet is for girls’).
point 2
Another way education creates and reinforces identity is through using codes of conduct to make the students conform to their rules and instil these rules into their identity.
example 2
Skelton found in a primary school in a economically deprived area that The school attempted to maintain social control by relying on firm measures. It created a sort of fortress (locked gates, fences, security cameras) as a defense against violence and theft. Also, the teachers adopted masculine styles to show who was ‘boss’ and instill some ‘fear’ in the troublesome pupils.
explain 2
This shows that codes of conduct are a way in which education creates and reinforces identities as they help create children that conform to rules as they are afraid of the consequences which will mean they will use these values later in life in order to follow rules.
counter 2
However some sociologists argue the importance of the work in creating and reinforcing values, Skeggs carried out research with a group of women retraining to become health care workers. She found that as their training progressed the women were re-socialised into new behaviours. For example, although they wore skirts, high heels and make up outside of work they began to realise this was not ‘the norm’ inside of their new career and adapted their dress code to fit in.
point 3
Another way education creates and reinforces identity is through socializing children into middle class identities by teaching their values.
example 3
Bourdieu suggests that schools are essentially middle-class institutions run by middle-class teachers for the benefit of middle-class pupils. He argues that what goes on in schools in terms of what is regarded as acceptable knowledge, language and behaviour is defined by middle-class professionals. Bourdieu refers to this middle-class advantage as ‘cultural capital’.
explain 3
This shows that education is important in reinforcing and creating identities as it teaches the children the values that are seen as correct to middle class culture which will change their identity as these will become apart of their value system, this benefits children who are already middle class as they were taught these from their parents and fit into the values taught to them better than working class children.
counter 3
However some sociologists argue the importance of the peer groups in creating and reinforcing values, Hey shows how peers control each other using informal sanctions and found that they excluded and insulted peers they felt were not conforming to expectations. She found working class girls called each other ‘slags’ if they were seen as too promiscuous and so their sexual behaviour was controlled via this sanction.
intro
Modern Western societies are too complex for young people simply to ‘pick up’ their culture as they go along. Rather, they are required to undergo a long period of formal education. Education is a secondary agent of socialisation, in the sense that it comes after the family and is perhaps less important, despite this it is seen as very important in creating and reinforcing identities by many people, especially functionalists.
