TITLE:
What Is the True Purpose of Education? A Critical Exploration via the Lens of Social Class
AUTHORS:
Shuai Wang
KEYWORDS:
Education, Purpose, Social Class
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.3,
March
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: This essay critically explores the true purpose of
education through the lens of social class, emphasizing that it extends beyond
mere knowledge and skills to encompass the promotion of social justice and
equality. The factors influencing the association between education and social
class encompass cultural capital, economic determinants, and discriminatory
practices within the educational system. Cultural capital, as conceptualized by
Bourdieu, refers to non-monetary assets possessed by individuals such as taste,
knowledge, and skills that can significantly impact their access to education
and subsequent success within it. Economic factors including financial
stability and available resources also play a pivotal role in determining an
individual’s educational opportunities. Furthermore, discriminatory practices
embedded in the educational system such as biased curriculum development and
unequal resource allocation perpetuate
social class disparities. These multifaceted elements contribute to the
intricate relationship between education and social class whereby education can
both reinforce existing societal hierarchies while simultaneously serving as a
catalyst for empowerment and transformative change. The research indicates that
education should offer equal opportunities for all students, regardless of
their social class, enabling them to fully develop their potential.
Additionally, the article highlights the presence of social class disparities within the education system, wherein
certain classes enjoy easier access to
quality educational resources while others face unequal opportunities.
Consequently, it calls upon the education system to actively address this
inequality by ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities and
fostering social justice.