Which of the following sociological perspectives argues that the educational system reinforces and perpetuates social inequalities arising from differences in class, gender, race and ethnicity?

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To tackle this question, we first identify the central claim: which sociological perspective asserts that the educational system reproduces and deepens social inequalities across class, gender, race, and ethnicity?
Option 1: Functionalism. This theory emphasizes social order and the ascribed functions of institutions, focusing on stability and meritocratic aspects rather than reproducing inequality. It often argues that education contributes to social integration and role allocation, though it can be critiqued for glossing over inequities rather than explaining their persistence.
Option 2: Symbolic interactionism. This micro-level approach examines day-to-day interactions, labels, and meanings within classrooms. While it can illuminate how stereotypes and teacher expectations affect individual students, it does not on its own claim that education systematically reinforces structural inequality across groups.
Option 3: None of the above. This option would be chosen only if neither of the listed theories captured the described claim, which we will assess against the remaining option.
Option 4: Conflict theory. This perspective centers on the idea that society is composed of groups with competing interests, and it argues that schooling is a mechanism through which the dominant group preserves its advantages by reproducing class, gender, racial, and ethnic hierarchies. It highlights gatekeeping, unequal access to resources, and the way curricula can reflect power dynamics, thereby perpetuating inequalities.
In evaluating these options, the key is to match the claim about education reinforcing and perpetuating social inequalities with the most theory that explicitly addresses structural power and reproduction of stratification. Among the four, conflict theory aligns most directly with that description due to its focus on power disparities and systemic reproduction of inequality within educational institutions.
Thus, Option 4 provides the explanation that best fits the statement about the educational system's role in sustaining social inequalities, whereas the other theories describe related but distinct aspects of education or focus on different scales (macro-functional roles, micro-interactions, or alternative stances).

SMC 2025 Smr - SOCIOL 1 (1561,1562) - Introduction to Sociology (O) Chapter 16 Quiz: Education

Which of the following sociological perspectives argues that the educational system reinforces and perpetuates social inequalities arising from differences in class, gender, race and ethnicity?

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