Sewell: Father, Gangs And Culture

Question 1

What causes the underachievement of black boys?

Answer 1

A lack of ‘tough love’ (firm, fair discipline) means that black boys lack the positive influence of positive male figures causing them to turn to anti school subcultures

Question 2

What did Sewell find when interviewing successful black boys?

Answer 2

The most successful black boys felt that their biggest barrier to success was other black boys

Speaking standard english and doing well in school was viewed as selling out

Question 3

Why do black students do worse than Asian students? What must be done to fix this?

Answer 3

Cultural differences in socialisation and attitudes to education

Higher expectations for black children to raise their aspirations

Question 4

What dies Lupton argue that supports Sewell’s arguement?

Answer 4

Adult authority in Asian households is similar to the model which opporates in schools so respectful behaviour towards adults was expected by Asian children

Question 5

Example of a compensatory education policy aimed to tackle cultural deprivation?

Answer 5

Operation Head Start in the US aimed to compensate children for the cultural deficit the suffer due to their deprived backgrounds

Question 6

Critics of compensatory education argue that………?

Answer 6

It is an attempt to impose the dominant white culture on children who already have a coherent culture.

Propose multicultural education