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Essay / Critical Theory and Conflict Theory in Education
Thus, conflict theory is called neo-Marxism because the values and power of the economic structure determine the nature of the social order, and therefore inequalities (). Furthermore, like critical theory, education becomes a means of cultural selection. For example, children who do not possess elite cultural traits are often offered a less demanding curriculum; therefore, the struggle between status culture groups and how status culture is learned in school is based on conflict theory. Furthermore, like critical analysis, conflict theory argues that higher status groups transform their cultural capital into academic capital, thereby reinforcing the production of the dominant culture through which educational and social inequalities are perpetuated. (). However, if governments paid tuition fees in full, the relationships between different social classes and the quality of education would not be examined in terms of power. Rather than imposing high tuition fees on students or parents, governments should seek to provide equal opportunities to all students. That said, many students are absent from school for financial reasons. Thus, high-achieving, low-income students are at a disadvantage because, even though they have potential, money problems hold them back..