Social Class

Question 1

Identify the 2 areas of life in which social class inequality occurs

Answer 1

1) Education

2) Health

Question 2

Give a piece of evidence for social class inequality in education - 1a.

Answer 2

The odds of a child in a state secondary school (who is eligible for free school meals) getting into Oxbridge is 1/2000.
- Higher Education Government report (2013)

Question 3

Identify a supporting sociologist for social class inequality in education - 1a.

Heath and Ridge (1980)

Gibson and Ashanta

Answer 3

Heath and Ridge (1980) identified poverty as a major obstacle to upwards mobility especially in terms of educational achievement.

Appeal to material deprivation sociologist

Gibson and Ashanta support this as they found a correlation between household income and poor educational performance.

Question 4

Give a piece of evidence for social class inequality in education - 1b.

Answer 4

38% of pupils who receive free school meals gained 5 GCSE A*-C grades compared to 65% of other pupils.
- Teach First report (2014)

Question 5

Identify a supporting sociologist for social class inequality in education - 1b.

Shropshire and Middleton (1999)

Answer 5

Shropshire and Middleton (1999) found that children from poor families are aware of their parent’s poverty.

Question 6

Give an explanation for evidence 1b of social class inequality in education.

Hubbs Tait et al

Answer 6

Being aware of their poverty may cause the child to lower their educational aspirations in order to achieve immediate gratification by getting a job as soon as possible.

Educated parents are more likely to talk to their children in a way which helps them to improve cognitive performance.

Question 7

Give a piece of evidence for social class inequality in health - 2a.

Answer 7

Children in poor housing are 32% more likely to suffer respiratory problems compared to 24% of those in good housing.
- Natcen’s report (2013)

Question 8

1
Identify a supporting sociologist for social class inequality in health - 2a.

Answer 8

Bartley and Bane (2008) found that the lower the social class the higher rates of mortality.

Question 9

How does evidence 2a explain social class inequality in health.

Answer 9

Damp housing is more common in poorer areas and so are more commonly owned by the lower class therefore creating inequality as they are not receiving the same standards of living as upper classes causing them health issues.

Question 10

Give a piece of evidence for social class inequality in health - 2b.

Answer 10

38% of children in poorer areas are obese, compared to 19% of those in more affluent areas.
- Parliament Obesity Statistics (2017)

Question 11

Identify a supporting sociologist for social class inequality in health - 2b.

Calnan (1990)

Willams

Answer 11

Calnan (1990) argues that major causes of death preventable by lifestyle are found in lower social classes.

Willams also found that poorer people reported feelings of unfairness due to lack of healthcare and are stressed and feeling worthless.