external explanations for the class gap

external explanations for the class gap

1. cultural deprivation

   • working class parents value education less than middle class parents
   • Feinstein argues the main reason for working class childrens underachivement is because their parents had a lack of interest and didnt give them educational toys and books to look at which affected their intellectual development
   • Bernstein says working class children use restricted codes whereas middle class children use elaborated codes
   • NELL KEDDIE REJECTS THIS AND SAYS WORKING CLASS CHLDREN ARE CULTURALLY DIFFERENT NOT CULTURALLY DEPRIVED

2. Material deprivation

   • lack of physical resurces such as money, room , and equipment
   • having money is important for children as it means they cna afford to bu the educational books needed, a healthy diet and enough room to do their work
   • selection for schools is sometimes based on mortgage whereas middle class parents can move to the right catchment area

3. cultural capital

   • bourdieu says middle class people have cultural capital
   • refers to the knowledge, attitudes, values and language of the middle class
   • working class children dont get taken seriously because they lack cultural capital which is necessary for educational success