Social Class

Social Class and How It Affects Our Society

Education and what you will become in society is greatly influenced by economic and social class.it has been noted that children in wealthy communities perform better than those in poor communities, in the sense that the kids from the wealthy family can afford to go to private schools, whereas children from the poor family will attend the public school, because their parents cannot afford to pay for the private school. This argument is supported by research done by Jean Anyon who is a chairperson of the department of education at Rutgers University, Newark. In her essay the “social class and the Hidden curriculum of work” she talks about schools in wealthy communities being better than those in poor communities. She further talks about better performance of rich children in comparison to poor children. In a period of a full school year, Anyon observed five elementary schools. Anyon concluded from her survey, that the fifth graders of various economic backgrounds are already being prepared to take up certain positions in society. Anyon also noted that the differences in performance of children in poor communities were not due to lack of resources, instead they were the results of the different teaching ways used by different types of schools. In Anyon’s survey of the five schools, she categorized them according to school’s class designation, which was determined by income, occupation and social characteristics of parents and students. The five were divided into four groups. These groups are the working class, middle class, affluent professional and executive elite class. All of the four groups have different types of methods of teaching and the income of families in these groups also varies. Though Anyon observed five schools she called the first two schools the “working class”. It covers 38.6 percent of families in the United States. The middle class comprised of parents who are mostly in unskilled or semi-skilled jobs. Less than a third of parents in the working class are skilled. Anyon also tells us that families of working class school are at or below the national poverty $12,000 with an exception of the few skilled workers who have higher income. Students are taught to follow a certain procedure , they are not encouraged to discover their own methods of solving problems that are presented to them. Anyon also said there is little discussion in the class room and no constructive communication between teachers and students hence methods of resistance that they develop only work temporarily. Students are trained for work that is a source of profit for others and work that is mechanical and routine. The third type of school and second group Anyon talks about is the middle class. This is not exclusively composed of middle class families, many of the students are from working or affluent class neighborhoods. But, the education system merges these rungs on the social ladder. Typical families in middle class schools earn between $13,000 and $25,000 a year though a few earn slightly more. The middle class constitutes of 38.9 percent of families in the United States. Work here is graded on if the solution is correct, regardless of specific technique and fundamental understanding. There is more emphasis on choice and making decisions than in working class schools. Creativity is not expected and does not have a place in the classroom. Students end up having a bureaucratic relationship to capital and satisfaction does not always come from work but benefits and rewards are gained through the flexibility and freedom of an improved income. The fourth type of school and third group is the affluent professional, This covers 7 percent of families in the United States. Most students who attend this school are from the upper middle class and have parents with professional skills. Here a family income more than double of a middle class family is not in common. The primary educational difference between this school and the previous schools is in the fundamental goal of the affluent professional school. Ensuring that the students can not only perform a task, but also they understand it and learn a concept not a method. Students that attend this school end up becoming producers in the cultural institutions of society and contributors to production system. Their ideas and products of their work are often given meaning and expression in society. The fifth school and fourth group Anyon observed is the Executive elite school, in this school all families earn at least $100,000 a year, with some reaching $500,000 or more. This covers only 1 percent of the families in America. Many of their fathers are top executives in large companies or on Wall Street. The students here are taught to think. These students learn not only the process of solving problems, but also the fundamental concept behind it and practical real world applications for their knowledge. Work is developing ones analytical intellectual power. Especially for this school, students are prepared to follow their parent’s footsteps. They provide students with the “knowledge of and practice in manipulating the socially legitimated tools of analysis of systems “. The students are trained to develop skills to control production systems. In conclusion, class does play a big role in what you will become in life. Just like Anyon observed if you come from a working class family and go to a public school you will not be taught to think on your own and be prepared to solve problems but you will be taught to follow certain procedure when you work hence you end up finding work that is a source of profit for others. On the other hand if you come from a wealthy family and your parents are able to take you to an executive elite school, Anyon talks about work being the development of one’s analytical intellectual powers in elite schools, you will be taught not only the process of solving problems but also the fundamental concept behind it hence they are trained to control production systems. Anyon goes on to say school helps one to achieve, to excel and to prepare for life, different curriculums, teaching styles and their methods of student evaluation place different emphasis on thinking and behavioral skills in each social setting and this affects how children develop potential relationships to capital the means and ownership of production, to authority and the process involved in work.