This essay will discuss to what extent can education overcome social inequality? Social inequality means the lack of social equality, whereby individuals in society differ in equal social status. This could be in so many ways such as, racism; sexism; ageism; disability; social class; income levels; and sexuality; but social class; income level and poverty are the main factors.
Social inequality takes place as principles and power is combined together in order to make some individuals better or poorer then others. Education is an important factor in our life’s in order to successed and makes better living for ourselves. Anthony Giddens notes that social class affects everyone
Education is a social institution which affects an individual’s success in life. This means that if you have no formal qualifications you are likely to end up with low paid job and you will not be getting anywhere.
In the traditional societies, skills are passed from generation to generation, however as society became more complicated and different types of work emerged in the production of goods, education developed so that it could teach and pass on the necessary skills required. Education serves to instil the value of individual achievement in a child; it’s for everyone no matter what their background is.
In theory this seems a very good idea but there is very little education can do to overcome social inequality since ascribed inequalities are reproduced in school.
Functionalists believe that society leans towards equilibrium and social order. They also see society as a human body, in which education act like important organs to keep the society/body healthy and well. Social health means the same as social order, and is guaranteed when all most everyone accepts the norms and values of society. Hence structural functionalists believe the aim of key institutions, such as education, is to socialize children and teenagers so that they become productive
Bibliography: (Giddens,2005: 685) (Abercrombie, N et al (2005) Contemporary British Society Sociological interpretations of education" By David A. Blackledge, Barry Dennis Hunt