Blog #7 -Dakota Amaral

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 Reading- Literacy with an Attitude

Author: Patrick Finn



Argument:

 Finn argues that the American education system perpetuates social inequality by providing different kinds of literacy to different social classes. He explains that the elite receive empowering education suggested them with powerful literacy. This gives them the ability to think critically, engage in intellectual discourse and attain position of power. On the other hand, working class students receive domesticating education, which only grants functional literacy preparing them for roles in the workforce rather than leadership in society. Finn highlights mechanisms that reinforce this cycle such as oppositional identity where working class students reject school values because they see them as an extension of an oppressive system. Additionally, he describes the pretend school model where both students and teachers engage in minimal effort maintaining the illusion of education without real growth. Therefore, Finn argues that literacy should be a took for empowerment rather than control, he highlights how educators need to help the working class students connect literacy to their lives rather than simply accepting them. 


This image illustrates the contrast between empowering and domesticating education. 



Reflection: 
Finn's argument about literacy and social class can deeply resonate with individuals based on their own experiences with education, social mobility and systemic barriers. Many people from working class backgrounds may recognize the pretend school model where teachers except little and students aren't encouraged to engage with their learning. Someone who grew up in a low income community might relate to the feeling school was more about keeping your head down, following the rules and becoming functional rather than being able to think critically. Individuals who have experienced oppositional identity may see themselves in Finn's analysis. A student might remember feeling pressure from family an or friends to reject "acting smart" because of the system. Lastly, someone who had access to empowering education might realize how different their experience was versus someone else who received different education. Recognizing the difference can help break the cycle and understand how education shapes social class and why breaking the cycle is important. 




Comments

  1. Derya GungorMarch 25, 2025 at 8:12 AM

    Hi Dakota! I like how you brought up his point on the "illusion" of learning; the teachers are accepting that the students won't learn anything, as long as they don't disrupt the classroom. I definitely saw this happening growing up, as teacher's would only seem to be teaching the student's they favored, meanwhile allowing the "problematic" children fade into the background.

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  2. MatthewApril 21, 2025 at 9:45 AM

    I have to agree with you and Finn. There are a couple of schools in RI that come to mind when I think of pompous education. Moses Brown or La Salle, for instance, cost more than RIC and have for a while. I can't imagine that the education these kids are getting is substantially better than the education from public schools, though I don't know for sure. What IS different is the environment that those students are in, and that's what can make a big difference.

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