Key Sociologists

• Basil Bernstein 1975


  Speech codes for different classes:

  Restricted and elaborated code.
• Bernstein’s restricted code is used by working class parents to communicate with their children, it has short sentences, simple vocabulary and little use of subordinate clauses or connectives
• Douglas 1964


  We parents place less value on education and gave their children less encouragement therefore causing underachievement
• Douglas found that the middle-class mothers were more likely than working-class mothers to have high expectations about their child's educational achievements
• Barry sugarman 1970


  WC subcultures:

  Fatalism

  Collectivism

  Immediate gratification

  Present time orientation
• Nell Keddie 1973


  Criticised cultural deprivation and sees it as victim blaming. She points out a child cannot be deprived of their own culture. They are culturally different not deprived
• Marilyn Howard 2001


  Diet and health affects children's academic achievement because poor nutrition affects the immune system and therefore children are more likely to become sick and miss lessons
• David Bull 1980


  Lack of financial support which enhance school experience. 'Cost of free schooling'
• Pierre Bourdieu 1984


  There are 3 types of capital:

  Cultural - refers to the knowledge, tastes and abilities. Through socialisation MC children acquire the ability to grasp abstract ideas giving them an advantage.

  Educational - parents have an educational capital and understand school system

  Economic - MC parents have more money to spend on tutors etc.