Education and Social Class, a Conflict Perspective Conflict Theory and education are closely linked. Education uses the conflict theory to explain the inequalities in school systems. In terms of education, conflict theory has to do with the inequalities caused by tracking and standardized testing because all schools do not have the same amount of funding and learning conditions. A sociologist would say that the social stratification within education comes from the conflict theory because students are grouped based on academics even though all schools do not have the same resources. A possible solution that they would suggest would be to get rid or private schools and give all schools equal funding so that they do …show more content…
The problem with the ideas that a sociologist would have are that conflict and competition are a good thing. This is because competition forces schools to strive for self improvement. If all schools were the same, they would not compete for students and there would be no reason to improve. Conflict theorists would argue, ”that schools create and sustain inequity in society by creating a false consciousness that causes students to internalize their lower status and buy into the myth that they have failed through a lack of merit rather than a lack of opportunity” (Brown). Conflict theory causes schools to try and sustain inequalities to emotionally separate students. Conflict theory, social class, and education are all closely linked to each other. They help to create an understanding of why the education system works the way it does.
Education and Social Class,a Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Symbolic interactionism is another important theory that plays a role in education and social class. This theory, society is analyzed by,“… the descriptive meanings that people have given to …show more content…
When talking to a person who is economically poor, it can be difficult for me to have a conversation. I would talk about going somewhere or doing something that they could not afford and the person would feel the separation between classes because he or she could not afford to do the things that I can afford to do. In a school setting, I have to be aware of these differences between classes or I might make someone feel like they are undervalued of depressed about their economic class. Socially, I am in the group of intellectuals at my school and this can be off putting for a person who is not as intelligent to have a conversation with me. I have another important connection to education because it is extremely important to me. I want to be happy in life and for this to happen I will need a job. By putting time and effort into my education, I can help ensure that i get the job that I want and do not become a part of the jobless lower class. I would love to be part of the upper class, but it will require me to invest more time into my education so that is what I am going to do. Symbolic interactionism is an important part of my life because I need to be able to properly communicate with other people for the rest of my life so that I can get a job. Conflict theory will make it difficult for me to achieve my goals because of the limited jobs, but having a