Although I found most of the ideas in School and Society justifible, I have a serious problem with the Conflict Theorist's perspective on equal opportunity. The case studies made interesting points, but I feel there is an attitude present that prohibits learning. When a child comes in with the perspective presented in the Social Studies case, they are baracading in all of their potential. The idea that students stop trying because they think education will not garantee them a job seems more like an excuse for laziness. Often the result is that these children unsuspectantly play into the hegemony of society. By rejecting school they are limiting their ability to progress. As teachers, how can we accept this attitude as an arguement?
I think that we as teachers have criteria that has to be taught, but we are also responsible for helping students reach their potential. Some kids may be drawn to science and others to the arts. The monetary value that we place on subjects and careers may serve as a motivator but from my experience people usually are attracted to fields that they excel in. If a student stops participating due to their belief that benefits are impossible, their potential in any field is inconcevible.
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I feel that even if a high paying job was guaranteed as long as the educational credentials were obtained, some students would not do the necessary work. Some students, regardless of potential, are just not self motivated and content with getting by.
Rebecca, I am a little unsure of your problem? Do you just have a problem with the attitude of the student? I think any teacher and most conflict theorists would have a problem as well. The conflict theorist has an explanation for that attitude, however -- it's a somewhat natural reaction to the condition they observe within their class/community, conditions in which academic success has NOT led to further social and economic success. Thus, the student becomes skeptical of academic success altogether. The conflict theorist would say that understanding why that attitude exists is key toward resolving it, and ultimate resolution comes not just from changing the individual but also the material conditions that led to the attitude in the first place.
That's one of the key points of conflict theory -- that material conditions influence consciousness.
Good post.
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