Somehow, Martin, it would seem as if Willis' work does not counter the claims
by B&G. The bottom line -- that the working class 'lads' fail -- seems
consistent with what B&G claim are the experiences of success and failure that
become the internalized seives through which classes separate from each other.
That the boys actively participate -- themselves making the decision to fail --
is perhaps one the details of the processes through which people enact and
constitute society.
It's also not to say that these patterns are deterministic -- they are not
without exception. The exceptions are throughout us.
Perhaps B&G take us part way to a better understanding -- it's not as though a
"ruling class" controls curriculum and runs schools -- I did not read that into
SCA at all -- but that everyone makes it happen, and in the processes of
separation, what happens benefits some much more than others. This gives the
former additional resources which, in turn, feed back to support and sustain
the processes of inequality.
I have noted a curious twist with the Raymond study, however. I think it has
to do with a small town and a real practice and ideology of being a community,
plus government funding.
=====
"One of life's quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself and watch yourself softly become the author of something beautiful."
[Norman Maclean in "A river runs through it."]
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