Subject Choice - Class

Question 1

What kinds of subjects do the working class typically choose?

Answer 1

Vocational courses (vocation means ‘job’, so vocational courses are ones that lead to a specific job). This typically refers to trades like electricians or plumbers. Includes BTECs, T-Levels, and Apprenticeships

Question 2

What are the 3 factors which influence the subjects the working and middle class choose?

Answer 2

The status of vocational courses
Teacher labelling
Cultural attitudes of parents

Question 3

What kinds of subjects do the middle class typically choose?

Answer 3

A level courses which typically do not lead to one specific career path, but instead give plenty of options for career choice

Question 4

How does the status of vocational courses impact the subject choice of different classes?

Answer 4

Vocational courses (such as BTECs) are not given the same amount of respect or status in society. It is seen by some (like Marxists) as providing a weaker education. This means the working class are pushed towards doing them more as it assumed they are not as academic

Question 5

How does teacher labelling impact the subject choice of different classes?

Answer 5

Teachers tend to negatively label working class students, which can create a self-fulfilling prophecy where those students don’t believe they are academic enough to take A levels

Question 6

How does the cultural attitudes of parents impact the subject choice of different classes?

Answer 6

Middle class jobs often have clear progression (e.g. promotions) encouraging them to think about the future and deferred gratification, which encourages spending more time in education

Working class jobs often reach full earning capacity quickly and can be insecure (e.g. could be fired, work may run out), encouraging them to think about the present and immediate gratification, which encourages spending less time in education