Cultural deprivation

An explanation of educational disadvantage which argues that some children lack the cultural resources, experiences or attitudes valued by schools.

The explanation that some children lack the knowledge, attitudes or experiences needed to succeed at school. Critics argue that this can wrongly treat cultural differences as deficiencies.

Cultural deprivation explanations suggest that some children lack experiences, knowledge or attitudes that help them succeed at school. Access to books, libraries and museums, for instance, may develop familiarity with knowledge valued in lessons. However, this explanation can unfairly portray working-class families as uninterested or deficient.

Treat cultural deprivation as an explanation to evaluate, not as proof that working-class families have an inferior culture.

Link the stages of Cohen’s explanation: cultural deprivation, educational failure, poor employment prospects, status frustration and subcultural rewards.

Attribute cultural deprivation to Cohen’s theory rather than presenting it as a fact about all working-class families.

The view that some people lack the attitudes, values or cultural resources needed to succeed in education.

An explanation claiming that some pupils lack the values, attitudes, knowledge or skills rewarded by the education system.

Cultural deprivation explanations contrast this with an emphasis on immediate rewards or acceptance of one's existing position, which could reduce motivation to pursue long-term educational goals.

A lack of experiences, encouragement or other cultural resources thought to support educational success. This is a contested explanation of disadvantage, not a claim that poorer families have no culture.

The argument that some people lack the cultural attitudes, knowledge or skills valued by institutions such as schools. Cohen used this explanation for working-class boys’ educational difficulties.

Definition

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AQA GCSE Sociology · 8192

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Eduqas GCSE Sociology · C200