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How are social class injustices in education engineered by capitalism--and why?

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Social class injustices in education are engineered by capitalism because those who are part of the upper class will not only always have their wealth, but will also stay at the top of the class structure for generations to come and this means that the wealth and power they have will only continue to increase and they will continue to have control over those below them. In an economic system based on supply and demand, those with the supply will always continue to demand more and will always look to make a profit, and never share their secrets or allow others to gain both wealth and power. This system follows its way into any market it can and a great example of this can be getting an education. In the United States, the path of gaining wealth is always promoted by getting an education and getting a degree. However, how can one get a degree with the high costs of tuition, books, living spaces, and even availability? Yet, those in the upper classes will never have to worry about the costs or opportunities to get in because of their wealth. This does not stop there, seeing how desirable degrees and getting an education are, those with wealth and power will once again take advantage of those looking to improve and continue to raise the costs and limit the availability, and opportunities for those below them not only because they want to stay above those with less, but to gain more profit, wealth, and power for generations to come. It is no secret that those with wealth and power are sneaky and will never reveal their ways of gaining wealth and staying at the top, and if they will, they will do it by selling "classes" and "courses".

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I will be using Jean Anyon's (1981) article Social Class and School Knowledge to address the question. There are two main social classes; working-class and middle-class. Unfortunately, Black and Brown students often fall into the working-class category. Working-class students tend to attend schools located in low-income neighborhoods, where teachers, principals, counselors, and staff may not be as invested in their success. Capitalism plays a significant role here, as working-class parents often do not have the financial resources to provide their children with the same opportunities as middle-class families. Despite this, working-class parents do have "cultural capital" and try their best to provide for their children. It is observed that middle-class parents possess a significant amount of "human capital," including access to various resources and financial stability, whereas working-class parents might not have the same access to these resources.

I was drawn to the work of Anyon (1981) while Anyon was conducting ethnographic research. During their research, Anyon observed a male teacher labeling a school as “tough.” The school principal advised the teacher to just do his best and not worry too much about whether the students learned math. This type of labeling is often stereotypical of how teachers from working-class backgrounds view working-class students. Anyon (1981) points out that teachers often label working-class students as “lazy.” Anyon spoke of a social studies teacher who simply put notes on the board and had students copy them down. This teacher believed that the students didn’t know anything about history, so there was no point in trying to teach them. Many working-class students face similar issues. Often, teachers who come from a middle-class background live in a capitalist society and teach in middle-class communities. They may struggle to connect with working-class students and may not understand what it is like to grow up in poverty and attend schools where the teachers do not relate to them. In such situations, students from working-class backgrounds often have to teach themselves. However, as pointed out in the middle class, parents have the financial resources to send their children to schools with better infrastructure and teachers who are committed to their success.

This all leads to one thing: the issue of working-class students and the educational inequality they face. Working-class students are often subjected to discrimination because they are disproportionately falling behind. Additionally, working-class students often did not attend college because their parents did not have the financial means to send them to such institutions. In other words, working-class parents did not have the necessary resources to support their children in higher education.

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Social class injustices in education and engineered by capitalism because of things like inequality and segregation. In the article, Coming to Class Consciousness, the girl had to go to a local college because her parents to receive a scholarship because her parents couldn't afford anything else. She was the only black females student while everyone else was white. She was given a tiny room by some stairs all alone. Others students would look at her a certain way were she felt as if she was an outsider.

This capitalism exists from those who have power and wealth, white people. Making it hard for those who can't afford a college tuition, books or transportation to have to stay local and not reach their dreams. I believe that sadly the system will always be that way.

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Luis Mendez

Professor Lyons

Soc 335/Spring 24

Padlet 7

Social class injustices in education are engineered by capitalism in many ways, for example capitalism, as an economic system, plays a significant role in shaping social class injustices within education because schools operate with larger contexts, These contexts include systems of race, racism, and white supremacy, as well as systems of migration and ethnic identity formation. Additionally, patterns of socialization, the changing realities of capitalism, and politics all impact educational experiences. A perfect example is the methodology of Jean Anyon in the reading called Social Class and School Knowledge. How certain teachers had the right to choose whether they were observed or not, while other teachers who accepted to be supervised were observed but it should be one equal school system and opportunities for all students and teachers as well. There shouldn’t be any favoritism or exceptions of people because of either their color, title, political party, or gender! In addition, students from higher social class backgrounds may be exposed to legal medical or managerial knowledge, for example, while students in the working class may be offered a more practical curriculum. The reading states that such social class differences in secondary and postsecondary education are a conserving force in modern societies, an important aspect of the reproduction of unequal class structures.

These school districts served a population of working class and middle class people. The information of the research is gathered by observation and formal and informal interviews. Anyon took a sharp interest in the subject area of these subjects; language arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science. Anyon examined the curriculum and materials such as textbooks, how these texts were organized, the types of content and activities generated by these aspects of the curriculum. The teacher strategy of instruction was also noted.

The teachers made efforts to impart knowledge as a type of fact or skill and students were trained through the process by way of discussion, discovery, or by practice depending on the school 's social dynamics. An important question that’s important to consider is why are higher education schools that have their white parents funding the school's materials, and other resources, who have the free time getting better treatment than lower class public schools with poorer parents who do not make the same amount of money or have time? The teacher and students were asked a battery of similar questions based on knowledge. These issues were overall of the following: what is the proportion and quality of knowledge which is important for students; what is school knowledge? where does knowledge come from, Is knowledge made of can knowledge be constructed for a specific social class more than other classes?

These are questions that can pick a person's brain and cause them to think more critically! Education should be equally and freely accessible to all who seek the education and need the education! No discrimination or exceptions of any kind, but in reality we all know this is a white supremacy and man’s world throughout history and still today, who controls absolutely everything! The bigger picture and question is how can we make these injustices right and keep them from ever retracting?

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Capitalism leads to social class injustice in education by prioritizing profit and competition over public good. This turns education into a commodity, making it accessible only to those who can afford it and creating a cycle of inequality that is hard to break. This is especially true for children from low-income families, who lack the same opportunities as their wealthier peers. Capitalism also promotes individualism and competition, which can harm students from poorer backgrounds who lack the resources to compete.

"Coming To Class Consciousness," bell hooks shares her personal experiences to illustrate how social class injustice is prevalent in education. She emphasizes how a person's various identities can lead to exclusion and disadvantage if they come from a working-class background. One of the instances she recounts is when her dorm room was vandalized, and she felt targeted due to her race. This incident served as a stark reminder of the negative impact of both racism and class differences. hooks also emphasize the detrimental effects of capitalism on education, particularly in perpetuating shame and stigma among students who cannot afford the same resources or experiences as their wealthier peers. hooks' personal experiences and analysis demonstrate howz social class injustice impacts education and highlight the need for systemic changes to address these issues.

Jean Anyon's "Social Class and School Knowledge" delves deeper into the relationship between social class and the quality of education children receive. Anyon provides examples of how different social classes experience education differently. For instance, she observes distinct teaching methods and curricular expectations between working-class and affluent schools. This demonstrates the power of capitalism, where those with financial means have greater access to educational opportunities, resulting in a broader gap in education for low-income students who may struggle to compete.

The article "How School Lunch Debt Creates Shame and Inequality — and Our Fight to Abolish It" sheds light on how economic inequality affects students' access to nutritious meals. In a capitalist society, some families struggle to afford school lunches, leading to lunch debt and financial stress. This often stigmatizes poverty and causes students from low-income backgrounds to feel ashamed. Moreover, underfunded school meal programs worsen the problem by limiting access to nutritious food for students in need. Hunger and lack of access to food can harm students' academic performance and unfairly limit opportunities for marginalized communities.

Capitalism's focus on profit and competition has led to social class injustice in education, creating a cycle of inequality that is difficult to break. Low-income families are disproportionately affected, as capitalism promotes individualism and competition, further disadvantaging them. To create a just education system, we need to prioritize public good, equal opportunities, and collaboration and support. This requires a collective effort to address economic inequality and provide access to resources and support for all students.

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Those in power will always have the upper hand and in this case, they hold all the cards. Because some classes of people can not and will never be able to get a quality education. If you don’t live in a town, neighborhood or city where the money is being allocated to education in the right way you will always see social class injustices in education. It remains away to essential keep minority people in poverty. When you are unable to get a quality education, you can become “stuck” in a place of poverty and if no one is at the bottom how would there be a top? So, capitalism is an essential factor in education as it is in the fabric of every area of our society.  Controlled by the wealthy to make sure they remain the wealthiest. We mostly see this through the continued push for more privatization of education. If people had to pay for education in our country, most would not even get a chance to get an education, let alone a quality education. Most people are too poor to just move to a better town where schools are better. Some people don’t have the option to place their kids in a school in a better town. You can literally see the differences in schools from town to town. I attended all city schools, but now as an adult I am privy to different schools in different towns. The schools are beautiful in towns like Pelham, Pleasantville and Tarrytown, compared to schools in Mount Vernon, Yonkers, and White Plains. Let’s not even talk about schools in the 5 boroughs compared to any school in Westchester county. Big budgets are allotted to towns that have the power to make important decisions.

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Social class injustices in education are clearly engineered by capitalism due to the immense difference in how schools in richer areas get more resources than schools who are in poorer areas. They are granted with more opportunities, more a activities, more incentives, and overall a better education. This is super unfair for the students in the poorer schools who aren't allowed to exceed in education. (I have personally always felt this is purposely done to keep the kids in those poor areas from excelling and making it out into a better lifestyle.) Following from my point on resources, the reason students are able to even get in those "richer" schools, is because their parents have enough money to enter their kid in fancy schools; which of course, the poorer kids miss out on. Last but not least, you can see that social class injustices in education are engineered by capitalism in the topic of student debt. Everyone knows college is expensive and many students either get their college funds paid for by parents, or have to borrow money from banks. Most of the time, it takes years to clear that debt and its harder for those poorer kids to do this compared to the richer kids who also have a higher chance of containing money skills from their education. Overall, I think this is done so that the system continues to hold control over society and keep the poor poor, so that the rich stay rich. Unfortunately, this is the way the system profits off of us.

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Social Class Injustices in Education are mostly driven by the system of capitalization in the following ways...

1. Money and property taxes- I first learned about this when my son attended Elementary school. My son and most of his schoolmates were minority kids from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. The school however, had all the resources the students needed for learning, which made them thrive. This was all because the school was located in a wealthy neighborhood. The school even received money to beautify the grounds, and the exterior building so that it could blend in with the neighborhood. After a while, the more privileged kids started attending the school. In NYC I know personally that funding is tied to property taxes because affluent neighborhoods with high property tax values receive more funding, while low income areas face limited resources.

1. Another Social Class Injustice in Education is the high cost of tuition. Higher education comes along with the fees, books and other living expenses, which can put added burden and financial barriers to low-income students preventing them from pursuing higher education. This then cause a social class divide because only students from privileged or more affluent backgrounds will be able to access the opportunities in higher education.

This leads me to the reading, "Coming to Class Consciousness", where the author tells her personal story of capitalism creating unfairness in education based on social class. Her experiences navigating the education system as a student from a low-socio-economic background shows...

The shame she felt when her parents made her feel bad for wanting expensive things.

The hidden costs, even if her parents could afford to pay for college they just could not afford the other expenses like transportation and books

Different Treatment, as a black student in a mostly white women's college, she faced discrimination which made her feel very isolated.

Overall the reading shows how capitalism maintain social class injustices in education. The main factors that contribute to these injustices are uneven resource distribution, financial limitations, and marginalizing groups based on race, especially the ones from low socio-economic background.

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Social class injustices in education is engineered by capitalism because who are not in top class will always be the ones who "make do" as Bell Hook in the "Coming to Class" reading stated. All of your desires and wants becomes un important, irrelevant and far seen. Although her parents were able to convince her to go to a local college where financial aid was given she was still the odd person out because she was a colored student in an all white school getting free food and dorm in a room she did not qualify for but was given because of the fear the whites had which put her in prime spot light. If you were not in a top class school where teachers, administration put in their absolute all to educate the students you were left going to school in a neighborhood where teachers and administration were not 100% invested and if they were there was and still is an issue with funding, resources, books etc. Unfortunately I do not think this issue will ever change because those in power will never lose power and those at the bottom will never be provided the resources to get to the top.

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As per our last class session, we played Monopoly and we were able to see how social injustices were prominent. Especially since the banker held the capital. If you hold the capital, then totalitarianism is dominantly in your favor. Bringing this all into social class, upper class verses the working class. Strangely, the upper class is better known as the capital and the working class abides under that Capital. There is a constant desire for the working class to feel valid by pursuing the upper class status. It's almost like trying to keep up with the Jones.' Social class injustices has marginalized the working class in education. Ivy League colleges are more conducive to those who are in the upper class. It's easier to say that the working class would just be able to "get by" when it comes to education, upper class is allotted more amenities. For these few reasons, this is how social class injustices in education is engineered by capitalism. Unfortunately, Money talks in our society.

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Social class injustices can be engineered by capitalism through several different mechanisms. The first one is through unequal distribution of resources. An example of this is schools in more affluent areas getting more funding through property taxes or private donations, leading to better facilities, smaller class sizes, and access to advanced technology and resources. Meanwhile schools in lower income areas might be lacking in resources and funding; resulted in crowded classrooms, outdated materials and limited extracurricular opportunities. Jean Anyon's work on social class highlights this as his findings show the vast differences between the education that students in lower income communities receive vs the students in more affluent schools. Another way in which capitalism fuels social class injustices is through the many barriers to higher education. Capitalist economies often prioritize profit-driven motives in higher education, leading to skyrocketing tuition costs and increasing student debt burdens. This can create barriers for students from low-income families who may struggle to afford college or university education. Bell Hooks' " Coming to class consciousness" speaks to this as she struggled to navigate what her options were for college as she came from a poor family.

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In America, social class injustices in education are often attributed to the systemic influence of capitalism. Capitalism requires a class of people who own the means of production and a class that works for them. This economic structure is reflected in the education system, where the emphasis on memorization techniques to assess academic achievement creates a competitive environment among students rather than promoting collaboration and critical thinking skills essential for success in future professions.

It is a stark reality that a significant gap in education quality exists between wealthy and low-income families. The former, with their financial advantage, are more likely to enroll their children in private or high-quality schools. These schools provide better education, updated textbooks, experienced teachers, and enrichment programs, giving their children an unfair advantage. This leads to better educational outcomes, better job opportunities, and the potential for them to become owners, perpetuating the cycle of wealth and privilege.

On the other hand, low-income families often do not have access to the same quality of education due to the lack of funding and resources in their local public schools. This limits their children's potential to excel in their education and future professions, which can perpetuate their position in the working class.

In conclusion, it is crucial to address the systemic inequalities in the education system. By doing so, we can foster equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their social class. Every student, regardless of their background, has the potential to succeed. Recognizing the significant impact of capitalism on education, we must strive to create a fair and just education system that nurtures this potential.

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Social classes injustices in education are engineered by capitalism because just like the game Monopoly the person with all the money calls the shots. Yes they ask for advice but they don't have to listen to it. Now the people who don't have the money but they have the voices have to try and convince the people with money to try and get the "banker" to agree with what they say.

As a student you don't notice it. But now as a parent you do. My son attends a public school and so I do see the gaps where they could offer tutoring for the children who need it. If they don't it falls on us to cover it for them. Now if they parents have the money to even cover then that helps the child but those who don't how will the child succeed?

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Capitalism, as an economic system, prioritizes profit and competition. This framework influences many aspects of society, including education. Social class injustices in education are often a result of how capitalism operates and allocates resources.Not to mention, Capitalism creates a competitive education market where private and well-funded public schools offer superior education opportunities. Families with higher incomes can afford to send their children to private schools or move to areas with better public schools. This access to quality education from a young age sets the stage for future success, including higher chances of attending prestigious universities and securing high-paying jobs. Overall, capitalism engineers social class injustices in education through funding disparities, unequal access to quality education, the impact of standardized testing, and the hidden curriculum that promotes specific values. These elements work together to ensure that the wealthy have better educational opportunities and outcomes, while the poor remain disadvantaged, perpetuating a cycle of inequality.

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Unequal resource distribution: Because capitalism is based on the idea that resources should be owned privately, a few people end up with a disproportionate amount of money and resources. In terms of education, this implies that wealthy people and communities have easier access to resources like top educational institutions, generously financed curricula, qualified instructors, and fancy buildings. However, these resources are frequently absent from economically deprived communities, resulting in an uneven educational experience.

Property tax funding: Property taxes are a common source of funding for education in many capitalist systems. This means that compared to schools in economically disadvantaged areas with lower property values, schools in higher-tax neighborhoods, where property values are higher, receive more financing. Because of this, there is a big difference in the resources and quality of education children receive depending on where they live.

Education privatization: Capitalism promotes the privatization of several industries, including education. Education may become a commodity due to privatization, turning it from a public benefit into a business driven by the market. Profitability is frequently given precedence over fair educational opportunities in privatized schools. They might focus on specialized programs that cater to affluent students, excluding those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, impose high tuition fees, or use selective admissions procedures.

Standardized testing and meritocracy: In capitalist nations, standardized testing and meritocratic educational ideals are frequently highly valued. Despite their goal of equal opportunity, these strategies have the potential to maintain social class disparities. Students from privileged families with more access to test preparation materials will likely benefit from standardized testing. Theoretically, meritocracy pays people according to their skills and labor. It may exacerbate already-existing disparities because underprivileged students encounter several obstacles that make it impossible for them to compete fairly.

How might you connect this analysis to class materials and discussions?

Unequal distribution of resources: This is closely related to the social and economic inequality ideas covered. The notion that resources owned by the private sector give the wealthy disproportionate access to them is related to what we've studied about how capitalism concentrates power and wealth.

Funding for property taxes: This system is more than just a theoretical idea; it is based on local property values. It has practical ramifications, leading to notable inequalities in educational resources and finance. These differences underline the critical need for reform by maintaining the wealthy communities' educational advantages. Privatization of education: The exclusion of underprivileged pupils and the profit-driven goals of private schools align with our criticisms of the commodification of education under capitalism.

Meritocracy and standardized testing have been criticized for appearing neutral when, in fact, they can strengthen class-based disparities, defying the discourse of equal opportunity.

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Social class injustices in education engineered by capitalism because of inequality we can see this in how children from low income families often lack or have no access to quality schools, experienced teachers, support system, and resources needed. The richer gets more opportunities and a better education. I myself felt this way growing up in school and seeing the difference me coming from a low income family and seeing those that came from the richer family. “Coming to class unconsciousness” mentions the author story where she is telling her story on how capitalism created so much unfairness in education. How shameful her parents made her feel for wanting expensive things and how her parents had to priorities certain things if they paid for college, they could not cover the rest of the expenses that college brought like money for books, transportation, supplies ect.  We still see this happening now in the schools how social class injustices are engineered by capitalism and although some have tried to change this unfortunately bit continues to occur and is hard to change.

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Capitalism creates social class injustices in education in many ways. Many wealthy communities receive more funding for school, and that leads to more resources and better school buildings. Compared to poorer communities that receive less funding that result in less effective schools in the area. Wealthy families can afford private education, while poor families cannot. This results in an imbalance of teachings the students are receiving; they may not be learning the same things. Also, wealthy people and businesses usually serve their own needs without taking into account those in poorer communities who may not have the same opportunities. Capitalism's goal is profit and wealth, and that ultimately leads to unequal opportunities and resources.  Thus why social injustices continue to be present.

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Social class injustices in education happen because of capitalism, In a capitalist system, rich people have more money and power, so they get better schools and opportunities for their kids. But if you're not rich, you end up in schools with fewer resources and less chance to succeed. This keeps rich people on top and makes it hard for others to move up. Capitalism likes to keep things unequal because it helps the rich stay rich and the rest of the population struggling.

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Social class injustices in education engineered by capitalism are evident through disparities in funding, the privatization of education, and policies that lead to budget cuts and closures, which affect marginalized communities the most. Capitalism, which prioritizes profit, leads to more resources and opportunities available to whites and elites, while other communities are disadvantaged. Schools in wealthier areas have access to better, resources, including newer facilities, smaller classrooms, better technology and up to date textbooks. Privatization of schools like charter schools and voucher programs divert funding and resources away from public schools, leading to less opportunities.

Capitalism perpetuates social injustices on education by prioritizing profit over human needs, privatizing public resources and promoting policies that prioritize market competition over equity. Until these injustices are addressed, we must continue to advocate for systemic reforms that prioritize the well-being and equal access to a quality education for all students.

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Social class injustices in education are often driven by capitalism, which creates and reinforces inequalities. According to the article “How School Lunch Debt Creates Shame and Inequality - and Our Fight to Abolish It” from Rethinking Schools (2023), capitalist systems contribute to these issues by linking basic needs like school lunch to financial status. Schools are forced to collect unpaid lunch debts, which creates a system where students from low-income families face stigma and unequal treatment. This debt reinforces class divides and adds to the stress and shame experienced by those who can’t afford lunch, highlighting how capitalist principles can perpetuate educational inequality and social injustice.

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Social class injustices in education are often started by capitalism through various systemic mechanisms that prioritize profit over equal access to quality in education. there are a few ways lack of funding In many regions, can effect the students. public schools are funded primarily through local property taxes. This means that wealthier neighborhoods can provide more resources to their schools, resulting in better facilities, more qualified teachers, and a wider range of extracurricular activities. In contrast, schools in lower-income areas struggle with underfunding, leading to poorer educational outcomes. they are more limited to resources that a school with more funding will have. Privatization and Charter Schools The push for privatization in education, through charter schools and voucher systems, can exacerbate social class injustices. While some charter schools may provide quality education, many are unregulated and can lead to further segregation along class lines. Wealthier families may have more options and resources to navigate these systems, while lower-income families often have limited choices.

Curriculum Focus is a huge one also the Capitalist influences can shape curricular to prioritize skills and knowledge that serve the labor market rather than fostering critical thinking or creativity. This approach may devalue the experiences and knowledge of our communities, further entrenching social class divides.