Howard Becker’s labelling theory can offer explanations for factors of underachievement of pupils in reciept of free school meals. Howard Becker’s labelling theory is the process by which usually those who are in a greater or more powerful position view us and this affects what we believe how others view us and our identity (O'Byrne, 2011). In schools, Hargreaves (1967) suggests teachers can label their pupils by predicting which children would be successful in their school career in terms of their intelligence and their social stance as it is sometimes assumed that children from poorer backgrounds will not be as successful as their peers. This could result in children from a working class background can be aware of them being unintelligent compared to other children and internalise the label that the teacher has placed upon them, resulting in the child acting out a self-fulfilling prophecy and in time the teachers interaction with the child decreases and focuses more on children typically from a higher class (O’Byrne, 2011; Merton, 1968). Various studies suggests the social standing of a child is highly influential in the methods teachers use to judge and evaluate the ways in which they teach and treat children (Ball, 1981). Additionally, if a teacher receives information about a child, this could affect the way they are treated, either positively or negatively, against other children in the class (Rosenthal and Jacobson, 1966). It could be suggested that a child’s social class is an influencing factor into how teachers make an initial judgement and decide how they are taught and treated in terms of their background and as a result, the labelling theory can create several inequalities and affect achievement for children from a poorer background (Bartlett and Burton, 2007; Ball, 1981).
Can Becker's Labelling theory be an indicator for the links between social class and attainment? Do children who are associated to the working class stigma suffer in terms of their attainment and opportunities to study in higher education compared to other children from a higher class? Evidence can suggest that children who are entitled to FSM are improving in terms of attainment (DfE, 2013). However, Reay et al researched the experiences of working class children in relation to fitting in socially at university. The study focussed on a student who attended a Russell group university and her struggles to not fitting in with her higher classed peers. Her struggles were not related to academic barriers but because of her social stance in society as she originates from a working class background (Reay et al., 2010). Although only one study, it can be suggested that students from a low income background can overcome their disadvantage circumstances with their attainment, however they cannot fully escape their working class stigma that is attached to them and this could be a prime reason why parents do not apply for free school meals due to the low income stigma that could further hinder their child's chances of receiving a good standard education due to prejudice and stereotypes.
Can Becker's Labelling theory be an indicator for the links between social class and attainment? Do children who are associated to the working class stigma suffer in terms of their attainment and opportunities to study in higher education compared to other children from a higher class? Evidence can suggest that children who are entitled to FSM are improving in terms of attainment (DfE, 2013). However, Reay et al researched the experiences of working class children in relation to fitting in socially at university. The study focussed on a student who attended a Russell group university and her struggles to not fitting in with her higher classed peers. Her struggles were not related to academic barriers but because of her social stance in society as she originates from a working class background (Reay et al., 2010). Although only one study, it can be suggested that students from a low income background can overcome their disadvantage circumstances with their attainment, however they cannot fully escape their working class stigma that is attached to them and this could be a prime reason why parents do not apply for free school meals due to the low income stigma that could further hinder their child's chances of receiving a good standard education due to prejudice and stereotypes.