Exam 1: The Sociological Imagination: An Introduction

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A conflict theorist would see the educational system in the United States as unequal.People from lower classes don't receive the same education as those from higher social classes.This is due to the fact that even public schools are not equal.Schools in upper-status neighborhoods have more resources for learning,and therefore their students are more likely to be accepted into college.Families from upper-class neighborhoods are also more likely to be able to afford tutors and computers,and they may be alumni of good colleges and thus assist their children in admission.
A functionalist,however,might argue that the public school system in the United States is functional in allowing all students access to the same education.The organization of this system is beneficial for all who want to take advantage of it.The people who get into colleges are those who have studied harder in school and are smarter than those youths who aren't accepted into these institutions.