Schooling and Social Reproduction

The need for theory in the sociology of education which deals with both structure and identity is discussed. It is argued that such theory is particularly relevant to an analysis of how schooling acts as an agent of social reproduction. Using Berger and Luckmann's social construction of reality theory (1966) as a basis, a number of theoretical perspectives which are relevant to the development of a theory of schooling and social reproduction are discussed. Two levels of analysis are considered: firstly the development of identity in the school context, and secondly the role of the education system in the reproduction of the social structure. Drawing on these ideas, the paper attempts to begin to move towards a theory of schooling and social reproduction which deals with both levels of analysis. It is suggested that the school processes which centre on school organization are significant mediators between identity and structure. It seems to be important that future empirical and theoretical work in sociology of education should focus on this mediating level. Only when we fully understand how schools replicate the social structure can we develop a viable pedagogy for change.