A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

Bernstein and Young (1967) argue that better-educated parents do what for their children?

1. Encourage less academic engagement

2. Spend more on educational enrichment activities

3. Promote strict discipline in studies

4. Provide emotional neglect

The correct answer is: Spend more on educational enrichment activities

The choice that best reflects Bernstein and Young's findings is that better-educated parents spend more on educational enrichment activities for their children. This aligns with the idea that highly educated parents typically understand the value of education and are more likely to invest in resources that enhance their children's learning experiences, such as extracurricular activities, tutoring, and educational materials. Engagement in such activities not only supports academic achievement but also helps to develop skills and interests that can benefit children in various aspects of their lives. This ultimately contributes to the ongoing cycle of educational advantage, where access to resources and opportunities is linked to family background and parental education levels. The other options do not capture Bernstein and Young's arguments accurately. The first option suggests that better-educated parents might encourage less academic engagement, which runs counter to the idea of fostering educational opportunities. Promoting strict discipline in studies suggests a more punitive approach rather than a supportive one, which is not the primary focus of their research. Lastly, the notion of providing emotional neglect is contradictory to the findings, as better-educated parents are generally associated with increased engagement and care regarding their children's educational needs.