Education - Marxism

He argued that education exists in order to indoctrinate future workers to accept their indoctrination.

He believed that capitalist society was built from inequality and the suffering of the proletariat ( working class).

Bourgeouise (middle class) exploited the workers for profit.

The workers feel oxploited and alienated because their life revolves around their job. 

He suggests that there will be a revolution where the working class would rise up against the middle class and take back power.

He was criticised for innaccuracy as he predicted a revolution that never occured.

Ideological state apparatus - capitalist control our values, religion, mass media and education  system.

Repressive state apparatus - Maintain the rule of the bourgeiouse by force (or threat), police, army etc.

Education is important to follow a set of rules set by ones superior, success anf failure is a fair reflection of talent and effort (meritocracy).

This is achieved by pumping out the message of follow the rules and society is fair so that the next generation of society is persuaded to accept their subordinate position in society.

People are aware of school being meritocratic.

Studies such as Willis study of the lads found evidence that they were aware that they werent going to succeed in school and rebelled.

Suggests that working class arent indoctrinated by middle class values the way that Althusser describes.

Correspondence principle - schools correspond directly to the world of work.

Argue that meritocracy is a myth. Individuals dont have equal opportunities. 

High status kids have more opportunities due to status.

Via the hidden curriculum schooling prepares working class for exploitation in the future.

Willis argues that B and Gs theory is deterministic .

The theory fails to take into account that pupils resist these processes.

Studied 12 boys during their final year at school.

Identified pro and antischool subcultures.

Earoles did what the teachers told them to and lads took little notice.

Working class recognised the manual jobs they aspire to require no educational success.

They partly understood their situation but actively choose what will exploit them.

Small sample - so cannot represent the working class as a whole.