Social Class External - Cultural deprivation

Question 1

Cultural deprivation - language

Answer 1

Speech codes:
Basil Bernstein - Identifies differences between working class and middle class language.

Restricted code -
- Speech code used by working class, it has limited vocab and simple sentences. It is descriptive not analytic and is often predictable.
- Feel excluded in the school, lack self-esteem

Elaborated code -
- Used by the middle class, wider vocab and has longer and more complex sentences.
- Textbook/Teacher used language so children feel ‘at home’ leading to a rise in self esteem and succeed.

Question 2

Cultural deprivation - Parents education (Bernstein and young)

Answer 2

Cultural deprivation theorists argue that parents attitude to education plays a key factor in achievement.

Parenting style: Educated parents have high expectations of their children and will support their educational achievement more. However, less educated parental style might be marked as harsh or inconsistent, prevents child from learning independence leading to poor motivation at school.

Parents educational behaviours: Educated parents are more aware of what is needed to assist their children’s progress. They are able to get expert advice and be able to guide their child.

Use of income: Better educated parents may have higher incomes therefore will promote their children’s educational success.
Bernstein and young: found that middle class mothers are more likely to buy educational toys, books to stimulate intellectual learning. However working class homes will lack these resources and therefore the child will start school without the intellectual skills needed to progress.

Question 3

Working class subculture - Barry Sugarman

Answer 3

A subculture is a group whose attitudes and values differ from mainstream culture.

Barry Sugarman -
- Argues that working class subculture has 4 key features that act as a barrier to educational achievement.

Fatalism - Belief in fate that ‘whatever will be will be’ and there is nothing you can do to change your status. (Middle class values emphasise you can change your position through your own efforts)

Collectivism - Being part of a group more than succeeding as an individual.

Immediate gratification - Seeing pleasure now rather than making sacrifices in order to get rewards in the future.

Present time orientation - Seeking the present as more important than the future so not having any long time goals.

Question 4

Compensatory education

Answer 4

Programmes which aim to tackle the problems of cultural deprivation by providing extra resources to schools and communities in deprived areas.

Operation head start - introduced in the 1960’s. The aim was ‘planned enrichment’ of the deprived child’s environment to develop skills and instil achievement motivation.

Question 5

Myth of cultural deprivation

Answer 5

Nell Keddie:
Describes cultural deprivation as a myth and sees it as a victim blaming explanation.
Dismisses the idea that failure at school can be blamed on culturally deprived home backgrounds.
She argues that schools should recognise this and build on it’s strengths to provide ‘anti working class prejudices’