State Schooling and the Reproduction of Social Inequalities

This insightful exploration delves into how state schooling perpetuates social class inequalities, focusing on the experiences of working-class adults in State Schooling and the Reproduction of Social Inequalities.

This book critically examines the impact of state schooling on the perpetuation of social class inequalities in the United Kingdom. By uniquely blending critical ethnographic methods with participatory and visual research, it brings to light the experiences and memories of working-class adults concerning their educational journeys. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding these narratives to grasp the broader implications of educational practices on social stratification.

In State Schooling and the Reproduction of Social Inequalities, the author draws on her own lived experiences to theorize the participants' stories through the lenses of Marxist, Bourdieusian, and Freirean frameworks. This analysis reveals the dynamics of power within educational settings and illustrates how schooling can diminish individual agency while perpetuating existing inequalities. The introduction of a Visual Intervention within Critical Ethnography (VICE) serves to highlight that the struggles faced by the working class are not immutable, suggesting that agency can indeed be reclaimed.

While primarily focused on adult experiences, the insights offered in State Schooling and the Reproduction of Social Inequalities are relevant across all educational sectors. Academics, researchers, and students interested in the sociology of education, social inequality, and educational politics will find valuable perspectives within this work. By centering the lived experiences of working-class individuals, the book contributes significantly to discussions on empowerment and critical consciousness in education.