Using sociological evidence and examples, explain the influence of material deprivation on
attainment in education (15)
Material deprivation refers to poverty and the lack of economic necessities needed for
educational success. Functionalists would support the view that material causes educational
failure due to factors like housing, poor diets and low income.
One influence is housing, Douglas argues that due to the lack of financial support, some
families are more likely to live in poorer conditions. This can have an indirect and direct impact
on a Child's achievement. The direct impact is overcrowding as it makes it harder for the child to
study. Also, there’s a lack of space for activities that strengthen intellectual development. This
may therefore mean children are delayed in development before they start school. The indirect
impact is on the child’s health and welfare. This is because there's a greater risk of cold and
dampness which can also cause respiratory problems. Therefore inadequate housing can lead
to a fall in a child’s attainment in education.
A second influence is diet, Howard argues that due to the lack old financial support, some
families are more likely to live in poverty and be unable to afford nutritious food. This is as he
states that young people from poorer homes have lower intakes of energy, minerals and
vitamins. This would negatively impact attainment as poorer nutrition affects health by
weakening the immune system and lowering children’s energy levels. This may result in more
absences from school due to illness and or emotional or behavioural problems due to a lack of
focus.
The last influence is the cost of free schooling, Bull argues that the lack of financial support
means some children from lower-income backgrounds have to do without equipment and miss
out on experiences that would enhance their educational achievement. This is because items
like uniforms, books, revision materials and transport would be a heavy burden on poor families.
Children from poorer families are more likely to get handed down which may be stigmatised or
bullied by peers. Concerning uniforms, many academies have introduced new uniforms to
appeal the middle-class families which some working-class families cannot afford. Concerning
food, the fear of stigmatisation may explain why 20% of those entities to free school meals do
not take up their entitlement. Overall this would negatively impact a child’s attainment in
education as children from low-income families often need to work part-time to support their
families and studies.
attainment in education (15)
Material deprivation refers to poverty and the lack of economic necessities needed for
educational success. Functionalists would support the view that material causes educational
failure due to factors like housing, poor diets and low income.
One influence is housing, Douglas argues that due to the lack of financial support, some
families are more likely to live in poorer conditions. This can have an indirect and direct impact
on a Child's achievement. The direct impact is overcrowding as it makes it harder for the child to
study. Also, there’s a lack of space for activities that strengthen intellectual development. This
may therefore mean children are delayed in development before they start school. The indirect
impact is on the child’s health and welfare. This is because there's a greater risk of cold and
dampness which can also cause respiratory problems. Therefore inadequate housing can lead
to a fall in a child’s attainment in education.
A second influence is diet, Howard argues that due to the lack old financial support, some
families are more likely to live in poverty and be unable to afford nutritious food. This is as he
states that young people from poorer homes have lower intakes of energy, minerals and
vitamins. This would negatively impact attainment as poorer nutrition affects health by
weakening the immune system and lowering children’s energy levels. This may result in more
absences from school due to illness and or emotional or behavioural problems due to a lack of
focus.
The last influence is the cost of free schooling, Bull argues that the lack of financial support
means some children from lower-income backgrounds have to do without equipment and miss
out on experiences that would enhance their educational achievement. This is because items
like uniforms, books, revision materials and transport would be a heavy burden on poor families.
Children from poorer families are more likely to get handed down which may be stigmatised or
bullied by peers. Concerning uniforms, many academies have introduced new uniforms to
appeal the middle-class families which some working-class families cannot afford. Concerning
food, the fear of stigmatisation may explain why 20% of those entities to free school meals do
not take up their entitlement. Overall this would negatively impact a child’s attainment in
education as children from low-income families often need to work part-time to support their
families and studies.
