Outline the evidence that social class inequality still exists in the uk (june 2015)
Social class inequality - differing life chances between social classes
1. Education
Wc students have less access to high quality education due to material deprivation and
structural disadvantage
E.g. middle class parents increased choice in education - power argues mc families can
move catchment areas
Feinstein - social class inequalities show up aged 3
Disadvantaged children 3x more likely to be excluded from school
Disadvantaged children are 18 months behind by gcse stage
Less than ½ of children reach expected levels of english + maths by end of primary
B + g - hidden curriculum
Material deprivation, myth of meritocracy
Reay - education is a competition the wc cannot win
This shows that social class inequality within education still exists as some social classes
have more access than others
This causes lower life chances in general for working class individuals as they have lower
chances at social mobility
2. Employment
Weber - class, status and party
More privileged workers tend to be in more skilled + higher status jobs
They have more bargaining power and a better market situation
This leads to social class inequality as occupational structure and position leads to the
formation of distinct classes which disadvantages some and advantages others
This means higher social classes have higher status and economic power, which leads to
higher life chance outcomes
3. Health and welfare
Mortality rate is 50% higher in the north of england which is a more working class region
than the south
Shaw - lowest classes have health disadvantages
Jackson + wistow - class most important factor in determining health outcomes
60% of therapists are private even though working class people suffer from the poorest
mental health of all classes
Social class inequality - differing life chances between social classes
1. Education
Wc students have less access to high quality education due to material deprivation and
structural disadvantage
E.g. middle class parents increased choice in education - power argues mc families can
move catchment areas
Feinstein - social class inequalities show up aged 3
Disadvantaged children 3x more likely to be excluded from school
Disadvantaged children are 18 months behind by gcse stage
Less than ½ of children reach expected levels of english + maths by end of primary
B + g - hidden curriculum
Material deprivation, myth of meritocracy
Reay - education is a competition the wc cannot win
This shows that social class inequality within education still exists as some social classes
have more access than others
This causes lower life chances in general for working class individuals as they have lower
chances at social mobility
2. Employment
Weber - class, status and party
More privileged workers tend to be in more skilled + higher status jobs
They have more bargaining power and a better market situation
This leads to social class inequality as occupational structure and position leads to the
formation of distinct classes which disadvantages some and advantages others
This means higher social classes have higher status and economic power, which leads to
higher life chance outcomes
3. Health and welfare
Mortality rate is 50% higher in the north of england which is a more working class region
than the south
Shaw - lowest classes have health disadvantages
Jackson + wistow - class most important factor in determining health outcomes
60% of therapists are private even though working class people suffer from the poorest
mental health of all classes
