Answer to Question #280862 in Sociology for Henry

Question

Based on what you know about symbolic interactionism and feminist theory, what do you think proponents of those theories see as the role of the school? What are some ways that a conflict theorist would say that educational institutions perpetuate class differences?

Answer 1

Symbolic interactionism offers a conceptual perspective that individuals develop and build upon in the procedure of social interaction within a group or a society. While on the other hand, feminist theory tries to explain and describe how gender procedures work, as well as thoughts of ethical issues, such as whether a community’s gender organizations are. Based on the question asked, symbolic interactionism theory would argue that the role of the schools is to help the students interact and learn from each other. The theory would also argue that, the role of the schools is to help the students  interact and learn from each other. The feminist’s  theory  would, however, argue  that  the  school  contributes  to  gender  inequalities between the girls and the boys on school. The reason is that girls and boys are treated differently. The boys may be favored than the girls because they are perceived to perform well in class. The girls on other hand may be treated with care because they are perceived to be vulnerable. What  are  some  ways  that  a  conflict  theorist  would  say  that  educational  institutions perpetuate class differences? The conflict theory would argue that school contributes  to class differences in a way those students from rich families discriminate students that come from poor backgrounds. The class inequalities among the students in school also affect their levels of interaction. It, therefore, means that students from rich and poor backgrounds do not interact freely in school. Teachers in school also treat students in the two classes differently as some of the student’s access the learning resources differently. The functionality theory, on the other hand, would argue that the schools provide the students with different skills that help them secure better opportunities in future. The feminists would also explain that the school contributes to gender inequalities.