Conflict theories of education
Conflict theory states the tension and conflict arises when there is an unequal contribution of wealth, resources and power distributed between the groups in society (Crossman, 2016). The two groups are the bourgeoisie and the working class people known as proletariat. The bourgeoisie are people who own properties and factories, they come under the capitalist society. Under this system the working class people are working in labour and providing goods to the middle class people, who then go on to sell those goods and gain profit. This shows the working class people are being exploited by the middle class as the work carried out by the proletariat is giving great wealth to the bourgeoisie. This shows conflict between …show more content…
This is because education opened up opportunities for the working class children, believing that everyone should be treated equally in society (Gerrand, 2012). However, this differs in the functionalist perspective because they believe that the social phenomena is there for the society to run and it benefits everyone regardless of their class (Bartlett, Burton & Peim, 2001). The functionalist theory was great at explaining how the society runs but they fail to make a change in society (Bartlett, Burton & Peim, 2001). Further, education does not completely help the oppressed people because the white rich class has more power over the working class children who have basic literacy skills (Nurenberg, 2011). This shows inequalities in education and also explains how the conflict theorists see school as a struggle between the social class (Wilson, …show more content…
There was 11+ examination that determined what school a child goes to. For example, if the child passed the exam they go to a grammar school. This exam was set to provide equal opportunities for all children regardless of their background and these exams still run in today 's school. Although working class children were given opportunities to access higher education there were still struggles for them. For example, majority of working class children were failing 11+ exams and some were turning down offers of sending their child to a grammar school, this was due to financial problems (Bartlett, Burton & Peim, 2001). This links back to the conflict theory as it shows that due to less wealth poor people have less opportunities for schooling compared to the rich people. However, this is not true because there are children from Pakistani or Indian background who live in disadvantaged areas and their children managed to get good grades. (BBC News, 2014). This shows that poverty cannot be the only reason why working class children fail education. There can be other factors such as the family culture and their mindsets as social class can play an important role of an individual 's attitude towards education (Gorman, 1998). For example,
Conflict theory states the tension and conflict arises when there is an unequal contribution of wealth, resources and power distributed between the groups in society (Crossman, 2016). The two groups are the bourgeoisie and the working class people known as proletariat. The bourgeoisie are people who own properties and factories, they come under the capitalist society. Under this system the working class people are working in labour and providing goods to the middle class people, who then go on to sell those goods and gain profit. This shows the working class people are being exploited by the middle class as the work carried out by the proletariat is giving great wealth to the bourgeoisie. This shows conflict between …show more content…
This is because education opened up opportunities for the working class children, believing that everyone should be treated equally in society (Gerrand, 2012). However, this differs in the functionalist perspective because they believe that the social phenomena is there for the society to run and it benefits everyone regardless of their class (Bartlett, Burton & Peim, 2001). The functionalist theory was great at explaining how the society runs but they fail to make a change in society (Bartlett, Burton & Peim, 2001). Further, education does not completely help the oppressed people because the white rich class has more power over the working class children who have basic literacy skills (Nurenberg, 2011). This shows inequalities in education and also explains how the conflict theorists see school as a struggle between the social class (Wilson, …show more content…
There was 11+ examination that determined what school a child goes to. For example, if the child passed the exam they go to a grammar school. This exam was set to provide equal opportunities for all children regardless of their background and these exams still run in today 's school. Although working class children were given opportunities to access higher education there were still struggles for them. For example, majority of working class children were failing 11+ exams and some were turning down offers of sending their child to a grammar school, this was due to financial problems (Bartlett, Burton & Peim, 2001). This links back to the conflict theory as it shows that due to less wealth poor people have less opportunities for schooling compared to the rich people. However, this is not true because there are children from Pakistani or Indian background who live in disadvantaged areas and their children managed to get good grades. (BBC News, 2014). This shows that poverty cannot be the only reason why working class children fail education. There can be other factors such as the family culture and their mindsets as social class can play an important role of an individual 's attitude towards education (Gorman, 1998). For example,