Transcript Chapter 16, Education

Chapter 13, Education and Work








Schooling and Society: Theories of Education
Does Schooling Matter?
Education and Inequality
Economy and Society
The Changing Global Economy
Theoretical Perspectives on Work
Characteristics of the Labor Force
Power in the Workplace
Functionalist View of Education



Education unifies and stabilizes society.
Serves functions of socialization, occupational
training, and social control.
Schools inculcate values needed by society.
Conflict View of Education



Emphasizes the disintegrative and disruptive
aspects of education.
Educational level can be used as a tool for
discrimination via credentialism.
Schools are hierarchical institutions reflecting
conflict and power relations in society.
Symbolic Interactionist View of
Education



Focus is on what arises from the operation of
the interaction process during the schooling
experience.
Teachers expect certain behaviors, good or
bad, from students.
Behavior is caused by the expectation instead
of being anticipated by it.
Effects of Education



Number of years of formal education has a
modest effect on occupation and income.
Direct effect of class origin upon occupation
and income, independent of education.
The social class one is born into has a greater
effect on later occupation and income than
educational attainment.
Criticisms of Standardized Tests
1.
2.
3.
Measure limited ranges of ability, such as
quantitative or verbal aptitude, and ignore
cognitive abilities such as creativity.
Designed by middle class, white males, and
include cultural and gender biases.
Predictive ability - especially for minorities
and women - is compromised.
The Bell Curve Debate
Two points:
1. Intelligence is 70% inherited and 30% related
to the environment.
2. Lower classes are less endowed with genes
for high intelligence than the upper classes.
Criticism of the Bell Curve
1.
Studies show standardized tests are not as
accurate a measure of intelligence:



Of minorities as whites.
Of women as men.
Of individuals of lower status as those of higher
status.
Criticism of the Bell Curve
2.
3.
Presumes intelligence is genetically heritable,
but there is evidence that environment may
have a greater contribution.
Base a between-group conclusion on a
within-group estimate of genetic heritability.
Research on Gender and Education
Findings from report commissioned by AAUW:
1. In general, teachers pay less attention to girls
and women.
2. Women lag behind in math and science ability
and achievement scores.
3. Some standardized math and science tests
retain gender bias.
Research on Gender and Education
4.
5.
6.
7.
Standardized math tests tend to under-predict
women’s actual grades in mathematics.
Teachers tend to treat Black women and
White women differently.
Textbooks ignore or stereotype women.
As girls approach adolescence, their selfesteem tends to drop.
The Industrial Revolution
Brought far-reaching social changes
including:
 The separation of work and family
 Transformation of the consumption of energy
 Specialization
 Cash-based economy
Economic Systems



Capitalism - based on market competition,
private property and pursuit of profit.
Socialism - the means of production are the
property of the state.
Communism - state is the sole owner of the
systems of production.
Changing Global Economy



Links the lives of million of Americans to other
people throughout the world.
Fewer workers are required since machines
can do the work people once did.
New technologies are still bringing major
changes to work, how it is organized, who does
it and how much it pays.
Theoretical Perspectives on Work



Functionalism - work teaches people values
and integrates people within the social order.
Conflict theory - work generates class conflict
because of unequal rewards associated with
different jobs.
Symbolic interaction - work organizes bonds
between people who interact at work.
Categories of Workers






Managerial and professional
Technical, sales and administrative support
Service occupations
Precision production, craft and repair
Operators, fabricators, and laborers
Farming, forestry and fishing
A Diverse Workplace


Manufacturing industries, where racial
minorities have historically been able to get
jobs, are in decline.
New technologies, corporate layoffs,
underemployment, and the decline in real
income are all features of today’s experience in
the workplace.
Sexual Harassment
Two primary forms are recognized in the law:
 Quid pro quo - forces sexual compliance in
exchange for an employment or educational
benefit.
 Hostile working environment - unwanted
sexual behaviors are a condition of work.
Worker Satisfaction and Safety
Greater worker satisfaction is associated with
work that is:
 Rewarding and challenging
 Provides for advancement
 Makes workers feel responsible for their
achievements.