Making Up' the Middle-Class Child

Families, Activities and Class Dispositions

Bibliographic Data

ID2321733
AuthorsC Vincent (0000-0003-1284-1950, University of London), Stephen Ball (0000-0001-7446-4201, Universidad de Londres), Stephen J Ball (University of London)
Year2007
Volume41
Issue6
Pages1061-1077
Publication date2007-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0038-0385 • E-ISSN: 1469-8684
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0038038507082315
OpenAlexW2096502475
LanguageEN
Citations received304
References cited25

In this article we draw on data collected from a recent qualitative project to highlight the enthusiasm of middle-class parents for enrolling their under fives in 'enrichment' activities (extra-curricular creative and sporting classes). We seek to identify the part activities play in parental strategies for class reproduction. We first consider the broader issue of children and consumption, drawing out the way in which consumption and leisure activities are highly classed, and focusing on notions of taste and distinction. Then, using examples from the data, we emphasize the sense of urgency and responsibility parents felt concerning their child's development and the classed and gendered involvement of parents. We conclude that enrichment activities are one response to the anxiety and sense of responsibility experienced by middle-class parents as they attempt to 'make up' a middle-class child in a social context where reproduction appears uncertain

Class (philosophy) · Consumption (sociology) · Context (archaeology) · Developmental psychology · Enthusiasm · Epistemology · Middle class · Political science · Qualitative research · Reproduction · Social class · Social science · Sociology · Taste · Diverse Music Education Insights · Gender Studies · Global Education and Multiculturalism · Law · Psychology · Social and Cultural Dynamics · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access