In her book Unequal Childhoods Dr. Lareau demonstrates that child rearing differs based on the social class of the family. Through “naturalistic” observations of twelve ethnically diverse families from two schools (urban “cream puff” Lower Richmond School and suburban Swan School), the author shows how teachers and institutions support concerted cultivation which is a typical practice in the middle-class families. Concerted cultivation is defined as “development of the child through organized activities, development of vocabulary through reasoning and reading, and active parent involvement in schooling” (p. 24). For example, the lives of all Tallinger family members are centered on the white calendar in the kitchen with Garrett’s organized
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For her “everyone who has made it in Blackwell and Dahlia finished school, and everyone who finished school and went to college has left poverty behind” (p. 205). Annette Lareau shows a more complicated and nuanced picture of social inequality, which in the United States starts as early as kindergarten. According to Shirley Bryce Heath language patterns between parents and children have serious implications for schooling (p. 107). Even before entering schools, children of different social class have different exposure to language use. For example, Alexander’s parents constantly engage him in conversations in order to promote his reasoning skills. They use complicated sentences full of scientific and medical terms, develop his “nascent political awareness” (p. 119), and discuss national news over dinner. Garrett’s verbal interaction with his highly-educated parents allows him to develop greater verbal agility, increase his range of vocabulary, think abstractly, and being able to argue with directives. It is not school but family that teaches middle-class children to feel comfortable with authority, and to use verbal skills to argue with adults. Therefore, good public schools are not the answer as inequality starts at home, where middle-class parents utilize the model of controlled cultivation, which happens to be the model used in …show more content…
For example, MacLeod (1987) argues that “class membership generates distinctive forms of speech through family socialization” (p. 16). In Alexander’ parents use advanced vocabulary, explain their directives, correct his grammar when necessary. In housing projects, Harold’s mom uses only short sentences to issue directives. It is common to be abrupt or yell when necessary. Through language of commands, children are socialized to do what they are told without whining or questioning. Consistent with MacLeod (1987) argument that “schools operate in accordance with the symbolic order of elaborate codes, working-class children are at a significant disadvantage,” (p. 17), Lareau found parental social class predicts child’s school success, specifically, kindergartners of educated parents are more school-ready and that children of educated mothers out-perform all other
For her “everyone who has made it in Blackwell and Dahlia finished school, and everyone who finished school and went to college has left poverty behind” (p. 205). Annette Lareau shows a more complicated and nuanced picture of social inequality, which in the United States starts as early as kindergarten. According to Shirley Bryce Heath language patterns between parents and children have serious implications for schooling (p. 107). Even before entering schools, children of different social class have different exposure to language use. For example, Alexander’s parents constantly engage him in conversations in order to promote his reasoning skills. They use complicated sentences full of scientific and medical terms, develop his “nascent political awareness” (p. 119), and discuss national news over dinner. Garrett’s verbal interaction with his highly-educated parents allows him to develop greater verbal agility, increase his range of vocabulary, think abstractly, and being able to argue with directives. It is not school but family that teaches middle-class children to feel comfortable with authority, and to use verbal skills to argue with adults. Therefore, good public schools are not the answer as inequality starts at home, where middle-class parents utilize the model of controlled cultivation, which happens to be the model used in …show more content…
For example, MacLeod (1987) argues that “class membership generates distinctive forms of speech through family socialization” (p. 16). In Alexander’ parents use advanced vocabulary, explain their directives, correct his grammar when necessary. In housing projects, Harold’s mom uses only short sentences to issue directives. It is common to be abrupt or yell when necessary. Through language of commands, children are socialized to do what they are told without whining or questioning. Consistent with MacLeod (1987) argument that “schools operate in accordance with the symbolic order of elaborate codes, working-class children are at a significant disadvantage,” (p. 17), Lareau found parental social class predicts child’s school success, specifically, kindergartners of educated parents are more school-ready and that children of educated mothers out-perform all other