Conflict Perspectives on Social Inequality in Our Schools

Conflict Perspectives on Social Inequality in our Schools

According to sociologists the most common educational institution, the school, is a specialized structure with a special function: to prepare children for active participation in adult activities. (Kornblum, 2008) Conflict theorists view education in modern societies as serving to justify the status quo of class inequality. (Kornblum, 2008) They view schools as institutions whose main purpose is to maintain social-class divisions and reproduce the societies existing stratification system. (Kornblum, 2008)

In society it is common knowledge that in order to succeed in life you must have a proper education. In modern society just having a High School diploma is not sufficient enough to allow a person to seek and achieve upward mobility. People must seek higher education and/or vocational training so they can become self-sufficient. Even our highly educated members of society have difficulties in finding employment because of the economy or because some employers view their education as substandard. This can make their quest for upward mobility difficult.

Conflict theorists question if the education process produces upward mobility for new generations of students or just reinforces the existing class structures in our society today. They feel students from less advantaged backgrounds receive inadequate education. This is because students from less advantaged backgrounds attend schools that are outdated, poorly equipped and maintained, their books and computers are outdated and they are being taught by poorly trained teachers. Conflict theorists emphasize that the reproduction of inequality through education is the reason that many students will never change social classes. They believe that the education system in today's society practices "Sorting". Schools sort students by social class and ethnicity. Students who are considered working class for example are trained by schools to accept their position as a lower class member in today's society. Conflict theorists refer to this roll of education as the "Hidden Curriculum". They feel that children are not encouraged to be anything but what they see in their communities and home environment. Most schools today are funded by property taxes and in some states by a portion of the states lottery sales. Schools that are in better neighborhoods with high property values receive the most money. These areas are usually white neighborhoods with single family homes. Compared to an area that consists mostly of apartment buildings and racially diverse residents the spending dollars per student will be significantly lower. These schools will not be able to offer higher salaries to attract the best teachers and will not be equipped with the same equipment (Books, computers, physical fitness facilities etc.) as schools in areas will higher property values. Conflict theorists and I think many members of society will agree that students that attend schools in affluent districts are often accepted into better colleges and universities. These students often form networks among members of the upper class allowing them easy access into high paying professions. Children