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Karl Marx's Conflict Theory Of Education

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Conflict theory states that tensions and conflicts arise when resources, status, and power are unevenly distributed between groups in society and that these conflicts become the engine for social change. In this context, Marx’s conflict approach was developed in 19th century by Karl Marx (1818-83) .Marx argued wealth and power were unequally distributed in society and sought to explain how one minority group (1% ruling-class) in society maintained its dominance over the majority (working-class). Weber formulated a response to Marx’s theory. Weber saw that conflict didn’t overwhelmingly involve the economy, but that the state and economy together set up conditions for conflict. In this essay I will discuss the views of Conflict Theorists on …show more content…

In this way inequality becomes justified. However Bowles and Gintis argue that rewards in education and occupation are based not on ability but on social background. The higher a person’s class or origin the more likely they are to attain top qualifications and a top job. See Bourdon (position theory); Bourdiau (cultural capital); and Bernstein (language and class). For Bowles and Ginitis then, school can be seen to legitimize social inequality. Conflict theorists call this role of education the “hidden curriculum.” School rules, detention and rewards these teaches people to conform to society whether you like it or not. School assemblies these teaches respect for dominant ideas. Where boys and girls learn to accept different roles in society, with boy learning to be masculine and girls feminine to follow teachers instructions without question. This replace the way you have to follow as bosses …show more content…

These skills are very important in solving the future problems. School is a place that can hold a lot of tension and pressures for kids of all ages. It is also one of the first places (after the home) where a child begins learning how to interact with peers. This can, of course, lead to many conflicts. In order to help students not turn into bullies or become paralyzed with shyness, teaching methods of conflict resolution is a great tool. Many schools have peer mediation, which helps teach both the disputant students as well as the peer

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