Verborgen krenkingen in het onderwijs. Kanttekeningen bij meritocratisering

Samenvatting

Hidden Injuries in Education. This article explores some of the effects of rising meritocracy, starting from Michael Young's vision of the future, in which differential education, based on innate capacities, leads to a hierarchical order in society. The question is raised to what extent Young's predictions have come true. Two topics are discussed. The first is the relation between parental social class position and the level of schooling of children. It is argued that the cultural capital of parents has remained important for the educational success of children. In that sense, present-day society cannot be considered as meritocratic. The second topic concerns the emotional impact of meritocratic ideology on children who do not live up to the criteria used in the process of selection in education. In the Netherlands, children are selected for hierarchical ordered secondary schools at the age of twelve. An important criterion used in this selection is the score in an 'objective' test that measures only cognitive capacities. Children who score low on that test are referred to types of school with little prestige. As these children learn to accept the criteria that are used in the selection process, they internalize a self-image of failure. And because they realize that they are destined for the lowest ranks within the occupational hierarchy, as Michael Young predicted, their motivation to complete school will be at risk. 40 References. Adapted from the source document.