Discuss social class as a cause of school failure. Do you agree or disagree with this theory? Explain

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• During the 1950s, research by Albert Cohen indicated that delinquency was a phenomenon of working-class students who were poorly equipped to function in middle-class schools.
• Cohen referred to this phenomenon as a failure to live up to "middle-class measuring rods.". Toby reinforced this concept, contending that the disadvantages lower-class children have in school are a result of their position in the social structure and that these disadvantages foster delinquency. These views have been supported by the higher-than-average dropout rates among lower-class children.
• One reason why lower-class children may do poorly in school is that economic problems require them to take part-time jobs. Working while in school seems to lower commitment to educational achievement and is associated with higher levels of delinquent behavior.
• Not all experts agree with the social class–school failure–delinquency hypothesis. There is evidence that boys who do poorly in school, regardless of their socioeconomic background, are more likely to be delinquent than those who perform well.
• Affluent students may be equally as affected by school failure as lower-class youths, and middle-class youths who do poorly in school are more likely to become delinquent than their lower-class peers who also have academic performance problems.
• Since expectations are so much higher for affluent youth, their failure to achieve in school may have a more profound effect on their behavior and well-being than it does on lower-class youth, who face so many other social problems.
• Middle-class youths who are involved in antisocial behaviors are more likely to experience school failure than lower-class youths who experience similar social problems.
• Student views will vary.