Role of education in social stratification
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The development of education has alwaysbeen closely linked to ideals of mass democracy. Reformers value education, ofcourse, for its own sake for the opportunity it provides for individuals to develop their abilities and aptitudes.Yet education has also consistently been seen as a means of equalization. Universal education, it has been argued, will help reduce disparities of wealth and power by providing able young people with skills to enable them to find a valued place in society.ADVERTISEMENTS:How far education has been successful in achieving this goal?Sociological studies conducted to answer this critical question have openly argued that education tends to express and reaffirm existing inequalities far more than it acts to change them. The term ‘inequality’ here simply refers to the existence of socially created inequalities which is known as ‘social inequality’. It is not biologically based.Though it is a bare fact that all human beings are not born with equal physical and mental ability and proficiency, yet a society, if so wishes, can provide equal opportunities to all its members for achieving goals and aspirations of their life.Sociologists are not much concerned with inborn inequalities based on sex, age, bodily strength or quality of mind, but are concerned with inequalities in conditions of existence (Beteille, 1966). This inequality can be filled in to some extent through the efforts of a society by providing equality of opportunity to all.ADVERTISEMENTS:How is education related to equality of opportunity? Equality of opportunity for achieving one’s social standing is a recentidea, recognizing the importance of education in it. Achieving merit and ability is possible through education.Though education does not guarantee high status and positions to all people, yetit plays an important role in equalizing opportunities in three ways (Gore, 1994):1. By making it possible for all those who have the desire to be educated and the ability to benefit by that facility;2. By developing a content of education which will promote the development of a scientific and objective outlook; and3. By creating a social environment of mutual tolerance based on religion, language, caste, class, etc., for providing equal opportunities of social mobility to allindividuals in society, and for securing good education.Do expansions of education (especially secondary and senior secondary education) help to iron out class differentials? As seen in general, it has benefited to some extent the depressed classes (SCs, STs and OBCs). They found a pattern of unequal access to the more prestigious schools. But class inequality grew more severe as pupils moved up the educational ladder.A boy or girl from upper class or higher middle class, compared with a working class (SC, ST), has more chance of entering school and university. Thus, the educational system helps perpetuate social and economic inequalities across generations. These class differentials can be reinforced by privatization of education, where money has a great role to play in perpetuating this disparity.Of course, education is not the only channel to social mobility and class, cultural and family background, and parental and other support, etc., are also important variants but lack of education isbound to prove a great handicap in mobility.A study conducted under the aegis of ICSSR in 1974 indicated that illiteracy increases inequality and prevents occupational as well as social mobility. Many other studies conducted in this field also reiterate the idea that education works as a powerful instrument of equality and mobility.ADVERTISEMENTS:Though education is an important means to upward mobility, it is not always open to all. In most countries, including India, students must pass qualifying examination (s) to gain admission in various courses, such as engineering, medical, architecture, MBA, etc. This system is known as sponsored mobility.Secondly, only those students can get as much education as they are willing and able to pay. The costs of remaining in school are enormous because students are dependent on their families longer andthey lose additional years of income.Education plays a very important role in maintaining the stratification system and justifying the unequal distribution of wealth. Like other social systems, schoolsreflect stratification and sometimes can be a cause of it. The schools that children attend can have an enormous influence ontheir life chances.Those who attend first-rate elementary (nursery or primary) and secondary schools usually are selected for professional courses (engineering, medical, etc.)
hope it helps u
The development of education has alwaysbeen closely linked to ideals of mass democracy. Reformers value education, ofcourse, for its own sake for the opportunity it provides for individuals to develop their abilities and aptitudes.Yet education has also consistently been seen as a means of equalization. Universal education, it has been argued, will help reduce disparities of wealth and power by providing able young people with skills to enable them to find a valued place in society.ADVERTISEMENTS:How far education has been successful in achieving this goal?Sociological studies conducted to answer this critical question have openly argued that education tends to express and reaffirm existing inequalities far more than it acts to change them. The term ‘inequality’ here simply refers to the existence of socially created inequalities which is known as ‘social inequality’. It is not biologically based.Though it is a bare fact that all human beings are not born with equal physical and mental ability and proficiency, yet a society, if so wishes, can provide equal opportunities to all its members for achieving goals and aspirations of their life.Sociologists are not much concerned with inborn inequalities based on sex, age, bodily strength or quality of mind, but are concerned with inequalities in conditions of existence (Beteille, 1966). This inequality can be filled in to some extent through the efforts of a society by providing equality of opportunity to all.ADVERTISEMENTS:How is education related to equality of opportunity? Equality of opportunity for achieving one’s social standing is a recentidea, recognizing the importance of education in it. Achieving merit and ability is possible through education.Though education does not guarantee high status and positions to all people, yetit plays an important role in equalizing opportunities in three ways (Gore, 1994):1. By making it possible for all those who have the desire to be educated and the ability to benefit by that facility;2. By developing a content of education which will promote the development of a scientific and objective outlook; and3. By creating a social environment of mutual tolerance based on religion, language, caste, class, etc., for providing equal opportunities of social mobility to allindividuals in society, and for securing good education.Do expansions of education (especially secondary and senior secondary education) help to iron out class differentials? As seen in general, it has benefited to some extent the depressed classes (SCs, STs and OBCs). They found a pattern of unequal access to the more prestigious schools. But class inequality grew more severe as pupils moved up the educational ladder.A boy or girl from upper class or higher middle class, compared with a working class (SC, ST), has more chance of entering school and university. Thus, the educational system helps perpetuate social and economic inequalities across generations. These class differentials can be reinforced by privatization of education, where money has a great role to play in perpetuating this disparity.Of course, education is not the only channel to social mobility and class, cultural and family background, and parental and other support, etc., are also important variants but lack of education isbound to prove a great handicap in mobility.A study conducted under the aegis of ICSSR in 1974 indicated that illiteracy increases inequality and prevents occupational as well as social mobility. Many other studies conducted in this field also reiterate the idea that education works as a powerful instrument of equality and mobility.ADVERTISEMENTS:Though education is an important means to upward mobility, it is not always open to all. In most countries, including India, students must pass qualifying examination (s) to gain admission in various courses, such as engineering, medical, architecture, MBA, etc. This system is known as sponsored mobility.Secondly, only those students can get as much education as they are willing and able to pay. The costs of remaining in school are enormous because students are dependent on their families longer andthey lose additional years of income.Education plays a very important role in maintaining the stratification system and justifying the unequal distribution of wealth. Like other social systems, schoolsreflect stratification and sometimes can be a cause of it. The schools that children attend can have an enormous influence ontheir life chances.Those who attend first-rate elementary (nursery or primary) and secondary schools usually are selected for professional courses (engineering, medical, etc.)
hope it helps u
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