Essay On Meritocracy And Education

Education is affected by social class; directly and indirectly. Looking at directly first we can see that individuals from higher social classes are more likely to have the resources to attend the elicit schools, and as a result have a better chance of receiving high exam results and continuing to third level. While indirectly, people who benefit from these higher educational opportunities are more likely to acquire the top jobs which in turn will result in the highest salaries. Thus education and social class closely connected and one impacts the other. This paper will explore how ones’ social class affects their educational experience and outcome particularly focusing on working-class students.

The Functionalist Perspective
Theories such

According to this ideology, you get out of the system what you put into it, so regardless of class or background if the student works hard they will be successful, equal opportunity for all. Marxism does not believe that true meritocracy occurs within the educational system. (Kennedy and Power, 2010) Bowles and Gintis (1976) argue the notion and existence of meritocracy. As there is inequality in a capitalist society, this is reflected in the educational system. According to Bowles and Gintis (1976) the main factor in determining someone’s success and income is not to their ability but a result of their background and class. The myth of meritocracy does nothing to help the working class, while justifying the privileges of the higher classes, giving the perception that these classes excel through fairness and open methods. The myth of meritocracy is a way of making the working class accepts their role in society. (Kennedy and Power, 2010) The idea of that meritocracy exists is given to students through the hidden curriculum. This results in the working class accepting inequality, thus making it less likely to try to overthrow capitalism. (Bowles and Gintis,