A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

What social factor does Marxism argue contributes to the perpetuation of inequality in education?

1. Personal effort and ambition

2. Quality of teaching

3. Social class backgrounds

4. Access to extracurricular activities

The correct answer is: Social class backgrounds

Marxism emphasizes that social class backgrounds play a crucial role in perpetuating inequality in education. According to Marxist theory, the educational system reflects and reinforces existing class divisions. Children from different social class backgrounds experience varying levels of educational success primarily due to the resources and opportunities available to them. Marxists argue that the ruling class has greater access to high-quality educational resources and networks, which enables their children to succeed academically. Conversely, working-class children may attend underfunded schools with fewer resources and opportunities, leading to disparities in educational attainment. In this context, social class backgrounds influence not only the quality of education received but also the overall chances for social mobility, thereby maintaining the cycle of inequality. Other social factors, such as personal effort and ambition, quality of teaching, and access to extracurricular activities, may also play a role in educational outcomes. However, from a Marxist perspective, these factors are often influenced by the overarching context of social class, making it a primary contributor to the systemic inequalities observed within the education system.