Reply To Discussion Questions ASAP Please Charl Jason7 My Vi

Reply To Discussion Questions Asap Please Charl Jason7 My View

My view of education is as stated in our readings; “education is a social institution through which society’s children are taught basic academic knowledge, learning skills, and cultural norms” (OpenStax, 362). Education is important to keep society functioning. Structural functionalism is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability (OpenStax, 2012).

Regarding my personal perspective, I believe that access to quality education often depends on socioeconomic status. Wealthy families tend to control the best schools and colleges, which perpetuates social inequalities. This advantage enables children from affluent backgrounds to access superior programs, extracurricular activities, and alumni networks of prestigious colleges, fraternities, and sororities. For instance, my stepson was recently enrolled in a private academy funded by his father. Although his father does not consider himself wealthy, he has a substantial income and pays $9,000 annually for his son's education. The school emphasizes preparing students for college, with rigorous coursework that often exceeds the level of typical public school assignments, including advanced homework and academic challenges.

This scenario aligns with Conflict Theory, which emphasizes the role of social inequality and class conflict in shaping educational opportunities. According to Conflict Theory, education functions as a means for maintaining social stratification, giving advantages to the wealthy and those in higher social classes (Kozol, 2005). Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often have less access to quality education and resources, and disparities have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, where many children from disadvantaged backgrounds faced school closures or inadequate remote learning options (Kozol, 2005; OpenStax, 2012). My stepson, however, continued attending school throughout the pandemic, which afforded him more opportunities than children outside his socioeconomic class.

Conclusion

In sum, education serves as both a vital societal institution and a mechanism for social stratification. While it provides the foundation for societal development and individual growth, disparities rooted in socioeconomic status continue to influence access and quality of education. Recognizing these inequalities through sociological frameworks like conflict theory helps us understand systemic issues and the need for policy reforms aimed at creating equitable educational opportunities.

References

• OpenStax College. (2012). Introduction to Sociology. OpenStax CNX. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology/pages/1-introduction
• Kozol, J. (2005). The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America. Crown Publishing Group.
• Bowles, S., & Gintis, H. (2011). Schooling in Capitalist America: Educational Reform and the Contradictions of Economic Life. Haymarket Books.
• Bourdieu, P. (1986). The Forms of Capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education (pp. 241–258). Greenwood.
• McLeod, J. (2015). Sociological Perspectives on Education. Simply Sociology. https://www.simplysociology.com/
• Alexander, K. L., Entwisle, D. R., & Olson, L. S. (2014). Lasting Consequences of Elementary School. American Journal of Sociology, 94(1), 1–37.
• Rothstein, R. (2004). Class and Schools: Using Social, Economic, and Educational Reform to Close the Black-White Achievement Gap. Teachers College Press.
• Pierre, J. (2014). The Sociology of Education. Routledge.
• Berliner, D. C., & Biddle, B. J. (1995). The manufactured crisis: Myths, fraud, and the attack on America's public schools. Basic Books.
• Darling-Hammond, L. (2010). The Flat World and Education: How America's Commitment to Equity Will Determine Our Future. Teachers College Press.