Minority Education and Caste: The American System in Cross-Cultural Perspective

by John U. Ogbu

This study examines the way in which the position of blacks in the American system of caste or racial stratification contributes to their lower school performance. It explores the myths and stereotypes that support the caste system and shows how they are translated into practices by school personnel. It probes into the responses of the minority group people themselves. To these ends, the functions of caste and education in the United States are examined. Current explanations of black-white differences in school performance are reviewed. Reforms intended to close the school performance gap are examined. Black access to education is discussed. The job ceiling and other barriers to the rewards of education are explained. Black school performance is described as an adaptation to the system. An overview of America's other minorities is given. Caste systems of other societies are discussed. These include the West Indians in Britain, the Maoris in New Zealand, the scheduled castes in India, the Buraku outcasts in Japan, and the Oriental Jews in Israel. The education of castelike minorities in these six societies is compared. Ways of eliminating caste barriers and thus closing the gap in school performance are examined.

Genres: Education

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a must read for anyone that is interested in understanding why some groups under perform in schools.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic in that it offers penetrating insights into the mechanisms of racial subjugation and is one of the few works that links macro-structural conditions with micro-level behaviors.