1. SOSC 103D Social Inequality in HK Lecture 20: Family and Education

2. L21: 22.11.06 Educational Inequality Class differences in school grades (educational achievement) –Income effects –Cultural effects The system is biased to the advantageous classes/ groups in society (the rich, the higher- status group)  Inequality in educational achievement

3. L21: 22.11.06 Policies for improvement  Free education  Additional assistance for poor students  Head-start program (US since 1965) Assisting children from birth to age 5 and from low- income families  Alternative schools (US since 1960s) Serve a growing population of students who were not experiencing success in the traditional schools Small size, close student-teacher relationship, student decision-making, diverse curriculum, peer guidance

4. L21: 22.11.06 Secondary Effects There are class differences in educational attainment even when students’ academic achievements are controlled!!! Class differences in educational choice (i.e. stay or leave school) 1.Decision on the years of schooling 2.Decision on the level of schooling

5. L21: 22.11.06 Secondary effect concern about the decision made in each school transition. Decision on whether to continue education or not Decision on the type of schooling Decision on the subject that we’re going to take in the school Hong Kong’s Case: –Vocational training or academic-track after open exam? –Faculties we choose in University

6. L21: 22.11.06 Secondary Effects (cont’) 1.Resources effect -The real cost of further education – income foregone 2.Aspiration effect -The goal is set according to social origin -The tendency of risk-aversion 3.Cultural/ value effect -Cultural deprivation

7. L21: 22.11.06 The role of family The role of family background in affecting children’s educational outcome – through various mechanisms oHow do parents transmit their advantage or disadvantage to their children? oHow do the family and parents make the difference? oWhat is happening inside the family?!

8. L21: 22.11.06 Suggested readings: Cohen, P. & D. MacCartney (2004) "Inequality and the Family" in Jacqueline L. Scott, et al. (ed.) The Blackwell companion to the sociology of families, Malden: Blackwell Publication