Revising Bourdieu: Social reproduction theory in light of alternative educational systems

Azaola, Marta Cristina (2010) Revising Bourdieu: Social reproduction theory in light of alternative educational systems. BERA Annual Conference, Coventry, United Kingdom. 01 - 04 Sep 2010.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

The paper reflects upon Bourdieu's theory of cultural and social reproduction in light of an alternative educational system operating in rural Mexico. Bourdieu’s theory seeks to explain reproductive processes of power relations within schools and society whereas alternative educational systems seek to expand educational access across deprived areas in order to counteract processes of social inequality. By exploring how a specific alternative educational system operates, the paper demonstrates that Bourdieu's theory of cultural and social reproduction does not fully explain the gradual inclusion of more people from disadvantaged backgrounds into education through alternative educational systems operating specially within financially deprived areas. Instead the paper argues that processes of social reproduction in deprived communities occur mainly because of the lack of state support after the primary school level and shortage of better infrastructure and opportunities for this sector of the population such as employment and healthcare.

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