Social Divisions and Inequality in Childrens Education

This essay will draw on social research and theory to evaluate the impact of social divisions in childhood education. It will focus mainly on race, gender and class and also briefly mention disability, sexuality and religion. The analysis will describe the barriers children face in education. From a sociological perspective the essay will examine the ideas behind the function of education in society, whether it really is a fair and just system offering all children the chance to succeed, regardless of background. The essay considers whether, as Brann (2005) argues, “minorities are not exposed to the same educational opportunities as the majority”. The essay will first consider children’s right to education, then consider social divisions, and finally discuss these in the light of different theories.

The right to education is a fundamental human right. Every individual, irrespective of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity or social origin, religion, age or disability, is entitled to an education without discrimination of any kind. (UDHR, 1948) However, discrimination exists in all walks of life, whether obvious or not, including in education. Brown (1998:x) comments that, "children are aware very young that colour, language, gender and physical ability are connected with power and privilege". These factors have a major part to play in undermining their development. Brown (1998) goes on to argue that social inequalities are deeply rooted in British history, which have been created and maintained by vested interests over centuries.
Social inequality “changes the very nature of” a child (Mongomery et al, 2003:71). It determines the way a child sees itself fit into the society and ultimately the future.

Opportunities vary depending on race, gender and socio-economic background. “Education has become a key area of intervention in disadvantaged children’s lives, and low-income children are seen as particularly at risk of ‘failing’ at school” (Ermisch et al,

Bibliography: Abbott, P. (2006) Gender. In Payne, G. Ed. Social Divisions. 2nd ed. Houndsmill, Palgrave Macmillam pp.75-83. Adams, B. N & Sydie R. A (2002) Contemporary Sociological Theory. Pine Forge Press. Aldridge, A. (2006) Religion. In: Payne, G. Ed. Social Divisions 2nd ed. Houndsmill, Palgrave Macmillam, pp. 133-153 BBC News (2007) Education 'fails poorer children ' [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 11/11/08] Best, S. (2005) Understanding Social Divisions. London, Sage Bhavnani, Reena et al Birkett, Dea (2001) The School we 'd like. [Internet], Education Guardian. Available from: [Accessed 16.11.2008]. Brann, P. A. (1995) Inequality in Today 's Classrooms. [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 06.12.2008]. Brown, B. (1998) Unlearning discrimination in the early years, Trentham Books Limited. Burke, C. and Grosvenor, I. (2003) The School I 'd Like: Children and Young People 's Reflections on an Education for the 21st Century. [Internet]. London , RoutledgeFalmer. Available from: questiaschool. [Accessed 27/11/08]. Davis, J. (2006) Children, Young people and Social Inclusion. Bristol, Policy Press Department for Education and Skills, (2007) DFES (2007) Gender and education: the evidence on pupils in England [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 11/11/2008] Dillabough, J Driel, V. B. (2008) Intercultural Education – Preparing Europe’s young of today for the challenges of tomorrow. Equal Voices. Issue 23, pp.15-18 ECM (2008) [Internet] Ennals, P. (2004) Child Poverty and Education, [Internet] National Children 's Bureau, Available from: http://pegasus.xssl.net/~admin315/assets/files/reports/Education_and_Child_Poverty.pdf [Accessed: 12/11/08] Fulcher, J Gazeley, L & Dunne, M. (2005) Addressing working class underachievement [Internet] Multiverse Available from: [Accessed 16.11.2008]. Gillborn, D. & Mirza, H. (2000) Educational Inequality: Mapping Race, Class and Gender, OFSTED London Homitz, D Hyde, M. (2006) Disability. In: Payne, G. Ed. Social Divisions 2nd ed. Houndsmill, Palgrave Macmillam, pp. 251-271 Lee, E Long, M. (2000) The Psychology of Education. Routledge. Montgomery, H B, R and Woodhead, M. (2003) Changing Childhoods. Local and Global. Wiley and the Open University Overview also available on [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 06/12/2008]. Moss, D. (2007) Social Divisions of Childhood. In: Jones, P. et al. Childhood:Services and Provision for Children. Longman, pp.39-52 Palmer, G., MacInnes,T Scott, S. & Jackson, S. (2006) Sexuality. In: Payne, G. Ed. Social Divisions 2nd ed. Houndsmill, Palgrave Macmillam, pp. 233-251 Skelton, C., Francis, B Smith, A (2007) Schools funding system leads to inequalities [Internet], The Education Guardian. Available from: [Accessed 16.11.2008]. Stubbs, S. (1997) The Rights of Children with disabilities [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 07/12/2008]. Tate, P. (2004) Report 1: Travellers, PYE TAIT LTD [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 12/12/2008]. Teachers TV (2006) School Matters - The Trouble with Boys [Internet], Available from: http://www.teachers.tv/video/2586 [Accessed 11/11/2008]. UDHR (1948) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights [Internet], Article 26. Available from: [Accessed 06/12/2008]. Vasill, P. (2000) Colouring Over The White Line. Edinburgh, Mainstream Publishing. Yeo, A Younger, M. & Warrington, M. et al (2005) Raising Boys’ Achievement [Internet], Department for Education and Skills, Available from: [Accessed 11/11/2008]. Zyngier, D. (2004) Putting young people at the centre of the discussion: a review. Primary & Middle Years Educator. vol.2 No.2, pp. 1-11.)