Social Class, Ethnic, and Gender Differences in Education

Cultural Deprivation

Lack of cultural resources and experiences that can hinder educational success.

Restricted Code

A form of language used by working-class individuals characterized by simple vocabulary and context-bound communication.

Elaborated Code

A form of language used by middle-class individuals characterized by complex and abstract vocabulary, providing advantages in school.

Parents' Education

The level of education attained by parents, which influences the support and discipline they provide to their children.

Working-Class Subculture

A set of values and norms prevalent among working-class individuals, including fatalism and immediate gratification.

Material Deprivation

Lack of financial resources that can negatively impact educational opportunities and outcomes.

Diet & Health

The relationship between nutrition and health, where poor nutrition can lead to illness and decreased concentration in school.

Cultural Capital

The non-financial social assets that promote social mobility, including education, intellect, style of speech, and dress.

Labelling

The process by which teachers categorize students, often leading to expectations that affect student performance.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A prediction that causes itself to become true due to the behavior it generates.

Streaming

The practice of placing students in different groups based on perceived ability, which can lead to unequal educational experiences.

Pupil Subcultures

Groups formed by students that develop their own norms and values, often in response to the school's culture.

Habitus & Identity

The deeply ingrained habits, skills, and dispositions that individuals acquire through their life experiences, affecting their identity and educational success.

Racism in Wider Society

The systemic discrimination and exclusion faced by ethnic minorities in various societal domains, including education.

Pupil Identities

The perceptions and labels assigned to students based on their race and social class, influencing their educational experiences.

Pupil Responses

The various ways students react to their educational environment, including conformity and rebellion.

Symbolic Violence

The imposition of the dominant culture's values on marginalized groups, leading to the devaluation of their identities.

Educational Triage

A process where schools prioritize resources and attention towards students deemed most likely to succeed.

Fatalism

The belief that outcomes are predetermined and cannot be changed, often associated with working-class attitudes.

Collectivism

The value placed on group goals and community over individual aspirations, often found in working-class cultures.

Immediate Gratification

The preference for immediate rewards over long-term benefits, often seen in working-class subcultures.

Institutional Racism

Marketisation → racialised expectations; entry-level tiers disadvantage ethnic minorities.

Ethnocentric curriculum

Prioritises white culture.

Feminism (McRobbie)

Magazine content shift from beauty → career.

Changing Aspirations (Sharpe)

Girls now aim for careers, independence.

Employment Changes

Equal Pay Act, more female role models.

Coursework & Policies (Mitsos & Browne)

Girls do better due to organisation & dedication.

Teacher Attention (Swann)

Girls get positive attention; boys disciplined more.

Marketisation

A process that may further disadvantage working-class boys by increasing competition and choice in education.

Symbolic capital

The status gained by working-class girls through fashion, which is not valued by schools.

Intersectionality

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as gender and class, which creates overlapping systems of disadvantage.

Literacy

A factor linked to socialization that indicates boys read less, contributing to underachievement.

Globalisation

The decline in male jobs leading to an identity crisis among boys, as discussed by Mac an Ghaill.

Cultural problem

A perspective suggesting that boys' underachievement is rooted in cultural factors rather than ability.

Gendered toys

Toys that influence children's preferences and subject choices, as noted by Norman.

Macho identity

An identity enforced by male peer groups, as described by Mac an Ghaill.

Double standards

A concept where boys and girls are treated differently, often leading to verbal abuse and the male gaze.

Tripartite System

An educational system established in 1944 that used the 11+ exam to reinforce class divides.

Comprehensives

Schools introduced in 1965 aimed at reducing inequality, but faced issues like postcode lotteries.

Privileged-skilled choosers

Parents who have the ability to choose schools for their children based on skills and knowledge.

Disconnected-local choosers

Parents who lack the resources or knowledge to choose schools effectively.

Coalition Policies

Policies from 2010 that included free schools, pupil premium, and exam reform.

Privatisation

The process of treating education as a business, leading to profit motives in schools.

Cola-isation

The commercialization of schools, where contracts are given to private companies.

Functionalism

A sociological perspective that emphasizes social solidarity and role allocation.

Marxism

A theory that argues education reproduces class inequality and ideological control.

Feminism

A perspective that critiques the hidden curriculum for reinforcing patriarchy.

New Right

A viewpoint that advocates for marketisation in education to enhance efficiency and choice.

Primary Methods

Research methods that include interviews and observations.

Secondary Methods

Research methods that utilize statistics and documents.

Quantitative Methods

Research methods that involve surveys and experiments.

Qualitative Methods

Research methods that focus on interviews and observations.

Lab/Field Experiments

Research methods that are not common in education due to ethical and practical issues.

Official Statistics

Data that is accessible but may miss hidden factors, such as the dark figure.