Marxists

• What is the Marxist view of the role of education?

  Education reinforces capitalist values and social control
• How do Marxists view the function of education compared to functionalists?

  Marxists are more critical of education's function
• What do Marxists argue education teaches children in society?

  To abide by capitalist society's rules
• What is the role of education according to Marxists?

  It acts as a form of social control
• Who are the two American Marxists that researched the school system in the US?

  Sam Bowles and Herb Gintis
• What did Bowles and Gintis find about the American education system?

  It prepares students for a capitalist workforce
• What characteristics do students learn to embody according to Bowles and Gintis?

  Hard-working, disciplined, obedient, submissive
• What is the correspondence principle in education?

  Link between school values and workplace values
• What does the hidden curriculum teach according to Bowles and Gintis?

  Values of the capitalist system
• How do pupils learn to accept authority in schools?

  By respecting teachers and following directions
• How does the education system prepare students for the workplace?

  By teaching them to aspire to external rewards
• What do pupils learn about subjects in school?

  Subjects are taught in isolation, creating fragmented knowledge
• How does competition in schools benefit capitalism?

  It creates motivated, competitive workers
• What do Bowles and Gintis say about the myth of meritocracy?

  It leads people to accept their social status
• How does social class affect income according to Bowles and Gintis?

  Social class plays a bigger role than education
• What do Marxist sociologists say about high-status positions?

  They are often filled by the ruling class
• What criticism do some sociologists have of Bowles and Gintis' view?

  They assume pupils lack free will
• Who disagrees with Bowles and Gintis and uses an interactionist approach?

  Paul Willis
• What did Willis' study find about working-class pupils?

  They can resist indoctrination through subcultures
• How might modern businesses challenge Bowles and Gintis' argument?

  They require creative, independent workers
• What are the key takeaways from the Marxist view of education?

  • Marxists are critical of education's function.
  • Bowles and Gintis studied the US school system.
  • Education prepares students for capitalism.
  • Correspondence principle links school and workplace.
  • Education is not a meritocratic system.
  • Modern businesses require different skills.