Topic 3: Ethnicity - Cultural factors Flashcards
What views are often held, and why should they be treated with caution?
Many believe that ethnic minorities are benefitted or deprived due to distinctive cultural features. However, this is an area of caution as one should not assume that everyone of an ethnic groups has the same culture (may differ from male to female, class to class).
What did Archer and Francis (2007) find about parental attitudes?
British Chinese pupils perform better at school than any other ethnic group.
Also, parents in this ethnic group place an “exceptionally high value” on education.
What did Basit (2013) find about attitudes to education across the generations in Asian families (Hindu and Muslim)?
In her West Midlands study, she found that everyone placed a great emphasis on education as it yielded more opportunities then in their country of origin (a "blessing"). Grandparents were working class but the parents got middle class jobs through education - expect children to do the same.
What did Basit find about the poorer Asian families and education provision?
Even poorer families put considerable effort and resources into helping their children - provided space to work etc.
Children were expected to work hard.
What conclusion can we draw from the case of British Asian and British Chinese families?
Having stable and supportive families are key to educational success.
Could explain why different ethnic groups perform relatively better than others.
What did Connor et al (2004) find about Black students and familial attitudes?
All ethnic minority groups are enthusiastic about education compared to White Brits.
The strongest positive attitudes among the Year 13s studied were strongest amongst blacks.
Do African-Caribbeans perform well at school?
Despite parental support, not really: 1997 -
- More likely to perm excluded.
- Disproportionately put in bottom sets even though it doesn’t reflect ability.
What does Tony Sewell (1997) claim about why Black African pupils perform worse?
Disproportionate amount of lone-parent families.
Based on studies of London teens: the high amount of matrifocal lone-parent families meant boys lacked a male role model and discipline. Gangs (based on macho values) became more attractive than school.
Why has Tony Sewell been criticised?
He appears to be blaming Black Caribbeans for their underachievement.
He does not focus on inadequacies in the system and seems to be diverting attention away from racism.
Why should black underperformance not be exaggerated?
Because, compared to white brits, BAME groups have a larger proportion of their population in lower classes.
Further, Sewell notes that those who reject school’s values are in the minority but it depresses the overall performance.
Do White Brits perform well?
Poorer white kids have the lowest attainment.
25% of those eligible for FSM got 5 GCSEs above a C (27% for African Caribbean boys) - 2007.
Working class white pupils make the least educational progress in secondary.
