Conceptualizations of Discipline among Working Class Families: Similarities and Differences between Racial Groups

• In Event: 2484 - Section on Sociology of Education Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 17. Race and Ethnicity in Education 1

Abstract

Recent research has shown evidence for the controversial nature of discipline in schools, particularly in regards to racial disparities in discipline. Bowles and Gintis argue that schools seek to prepare individuals to properly function in the workplace through shaping the student to conform. To explore how parents understand discipline and its relationship to schools, we use a set of semi-structured interviews conducted with white, Polynesian, and Hispanic parents. As expected, parents of all races often described discipline as students following rules and routines enforced by the institution. White parents further describe discipline as an internal, individual process. Minority parents describe discipline as being imposed on children and children responding through conforming submissively and responding to reinforcement through rewards and punishments.

Authors

• Florencia Silveira, Brigham Young University

• Kristie J. Rowley, Brigham Young University

• Curtis D. Child, Brigham Young University

• Daniela Barriga, Brigham Young University