Success in school/college is one of the most trusted institutional pathways enabling children from low social class backgrounds to gain entry into the middle class. Yet, as Bourdieu argues, school culture is a culture that affirms and rewards middle-class culture, thus making success in school a more difficult challenge for those who come from lower-class families. Interview two people from lower-class backgrounds who are currently at college or who are recent graduates, asking them about their experiences negotiating the everyday college culture - academics, extracurricular activities, the college environment as a whole. Explore the extent to which they are/became aware of class differences, and specifically of any socio-economic class disadvantage they observed/personally experienced at college. Assess the degree to which your findings support and/or challenge Bourdieu's thesis concerning the autonomy of school as an institutional mechanism of equality, and its simultaneous interconnection with family background and social class.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is I interviewed two individuals from lower-class backgrounds who are recent graduates from college. Both of them shared similar experiences in negotiating the everyday college culture. They both mentioned that they had to work harder than their middle-class peers to succeed academically. They felt that the college environment, including the academic and social aspects, was geared towards those from a middle-class background.

One of the interviewees, let's call her Sarah, mentioned that she became acutely aware of class differences when she struggled to afford textbooks and other academic resources. She also felt out of place in extracurricular activities that required a financial commitment, such as joining certain clubs or participating in study abroad programs. Sarah felt that her lower-class background put her at a disadvantage in these areas.

The other interviewee, let's call him John, also mentioned feeling the impact of his socio-economic class at college. He struggled to afford basic living expenses and often had to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. He also felt that his professors and peers did not understand the challenges he faced as a lower-class student.

Both Sarah and John's experiences support Bourdieu's thesis concerning the autonomy of school as an institutional mechanism of equality, and its simultaneous interconnection with family background and social class. They both felt that the college culture affirmed and rewarded middle-class culture, making it more difficult for them to succeed. They also became aware of the socio-economic class disadvantage they faced at college, particularly in terms of access to resources and opportunities.

Overall, their experiences challenge the idea that success in school is an equal pathway for individuals from low social class backgrounds. It highlights the need for greater awareness and support for students from lower-class backgrounds in navigating the college environment.

Success in School/college Is One of the Most Trusted Institutional