Scan barcode
A review by kiraascottie
Miseducation: Inequality, Education and the Working Classes by Diane Reay
5.0
Eloquently illustrates the marginalisation and demonisation of the working-class and state schools. Interestingly Reay also explores the working-class pupils who “succeed against all odds” and yet their newfound ‘social mobility’ still alienates them from the middle class. Great questions posed and discussion about working-class students attending university, a hostile and unfamiliar environment, and the heavy psychological toil that is has on them whilst navigating a system which has been designed and upheld by the middle- and upper-classes. Such as, is a working-class student’s first class degree of the same value as a middle-class student’s first class degree? Short answer: no. And this book delves into the many socio-economical reasons as to why that is.
This is a disheartening read which highlights in excruciating detail the way in which the entire education system is set up to fail the working- and lower-class yet benefit and alleviate the middle- and upper-class. The interviews with the middle-class children and parents was incredibly difficult to read: blatant ignorance and discrimination was evident in each and every choice of their words. Of course, not all middle-class students and parents will possess these same beliefs and attitudes, but this book shows that clearly the majority do.
It’s worth noting that this was quite a white-centric perspective. Although Reay does acknowledge multiple times that BAME working-class pupils are at a further disadvantage than their white working-class peers, nearly all interviews were conducted with white students; giving only a white perspective of how the working-class navigate the educational system.
I have so much else to say, but will keep it for a blog post :)
https://www.kirareadsandwrites.wordpress.com
This is a disheartening read which highlights in excruciating detail the way in which the entire education system is set up to fail the working- and lower-class yet benefit and alleviate the middle- and upper-class. The interviews with the middle-class children and parents was incredibly difficult to read: blatant ignorance and discrimination was evident in each and every choice of their words. Of course, not all middle-class students and parents will possess these same beliefs and attitudes, but this book shows that clearly the majority do.
It’s worth noting that this was quite a white-centric perspective. Although Reay does acknowledge multiple times that BAME working-class pupils are at a further disadvantage than their white working-class peers, nearly all interviews were conducted with white students; giving only a white perspective of how the working-class navigate the educational system.
I have so much else to say, but will keep it for a blog post :)
https://www.kirareadsandwrites.wordpress.com