Answer to Question #200849 in Sociology for June

Question

Discuss the neo-Marxist interpretation of schooling. 

Answer 1

Neo-Marxist believes that social institutions like schools, churches, and prisons were formed to create and maintain the division between social classes.

It believes that capitalism shapes the educational systems of the society and that without an education system the economy of the society is an enormous failure. Without education, the members of society lack jobs, and employment is the driving wheel of society. Education assists in maintaining the bourgeoisie and proletariat so that there are workers who can produce goods and services which can be consumed by other community members. The workers are hence recognized as the powerless and the poor while the employers are recognized as the owners and the powerful members of the society. Therefore, neo-Marxist believe that schooling is aimed at differentiating the owners and the workers.