I'm a student currently carrying out research for my sociology coursework, my title is "Britain- An integrated society, A white yes, a Black maybe". I would like to know some views and perspectives, please feel free to contribute your opinions.

This is my entire research project so far, so please take the time to read and contribute....Thank you

Britain:-An Integrated society, “A White yes, a Black maybe”

Chapter 1:-Rationale

I will be investigating the marginalisation of Afro-Caribbean and Africans focusing specifically on their experiences with the criminal justice system, whether this experience has been influenced by their experiences in education. I will be following those of Afro-Caribbean and African descent. The sociologist Gilborn believed that the ethnocentric school system already placed the Black British males at a disadvantage, as the school system is a middle-class institution, these very same males are the children of immigrants with their own cultures and values, unfamiliar with the British middle-class values; already lacking the cultural capital to succeed they already become marginalised in the classroom.
Investigating this particular subject intrigues me as a male of African descent I would like to investigate the plight faced by many of my peers, and what is it that leads many to live such a dysfunctional life-style. A UK statistic shows there are more males in some form of correctional facility than in higher education, this is quite a disturbing fact, through this sociological study I aim to investigate the multitude of factors leading to mass marginalisation. In the past few decades the first generation of African and Caribbean settlers, were integrated into society and have come to be known as Black British, however unlike their Pakistani or Indian counterparts, this generation of children have grown up and marginalised as much as their migrant parents, in regards to their role in society.
The Black British are heavily under-represented in mainstream society, often scare in the positions of employment such as upper management. Recently a spate of shootings in London amidst the inner-city black communities has resulted in media attention focusing upon the roles of these tragic young men and their threat to British society. The conditions in which these tragic young lives are raised are rarely confronted.

Aims Objectives
1 Explore whether academic under-achievement plays a significant role in the dysfunctional delinquents. Looking at secondary data from Government statistics on Afro-Caribbean male achievement at SATS and GCSE.
In the context analysis, look at sociological theorists link between ethnicity and education.
2 Identify whether the over-population of Blacks in the criminal justice system has led many to become marginalised. Combination of secondary data and primary data, using government statistics concerning the Black prison population and a series of interviews with those who have been incarcerated.
3 Explore Black British employment and the extent to which the ethnic group has been marginalised into certain job roles. Looking at government employment statistics and gathering primary data on a mass online survey, targeting roughly 200 individuals of Afro-Caribbean origin
Hypothesis:
There is a positive correlation between educational underachievement and the over representation of black males in the prison system.

Chapter 2:-Context

In Britain there is a high incidence of Black British marginalisation. Such marginalisation not only stems from prejudices but also from social deprivation in the many aspects of their lives. The background issues I intend to explore as stated in my aims is whether academic underachievement is the primary root cause for social deviance. Social deviance comes as a result of frustration from the lack of prospects many of these youths. These youths live in decaying urban wastelands, in which the social structure of community, remain as rustic as the buildings which house them.
The arrival of the HMS Empire Wind rush in 1948 marked the beginning of multicultural Britain. Migrants from the West Indies and Caribbean arrived in Britain in search of work with limited cultural capital, due to poor education and lack of understanding of the British system. Prejudices and poor cultural capital left many marginalised into the most laborious and poor paying jobs.
The low social status of these migrants left many to raise their young families in impoverished conditions, always with the prospective view of their children progressing further up the social ladder. However the education systems in many of the migrant areas were poorly equipped and remained prejudice towards this new generation of Black British. Coard (1971) published ‘How the West Indian child is made Educationally Subnormal in the British School System’, he found that institutional racism and ethnocentric testing in schools, undermined the intelligence of these Black British youth. Over thirty years on the problem still remains in British schools as Black boy were three times more likely to be excluded from school as white boys. Coard was a Marxist sociologist, therefore exploring education from a Marxist perspective the education system in Britain limits potential of the Black working classes to ensure they maintain their inferior position in society(in reference to aim 1). Rosenthal and Jacobson’s labelling theory (1996) indicates that Teachers label the Black British youths as limited in ability or lacking any prospects. Being labelled by teachers, the pupils then respond accordingly and do not achieve beyond their own low expectations.

Percentage of Afro-Caribbean males achieving 5A*-C’s at GCSE is just 36% much lower than their white counter-parts at 53% (irr.org.uk published 21/12/05, accessed 9/10/07). Such a low level of achievement, often leads many to a life of idleness. This low expectation in school can only be compensated by raising their own self-esteem through acts of deviance.
A large proportion of those involved in acts of deviance are eventually caught and imprisoned, establishing the link between underachievement in the education system and . Due to prejudices within the courts Black males are now “Nine times more likely to be locked up than white counterparts” (blink.org.uk published 24/02/05 accessed 21/06/07). Marxist’s will view the increasing prison population of the working Class as being a system of control. Although prison is meant to be a rehabilitation institute to enter back into society, the transition back into society is often hindered by the inability to gain economic viability, through employment. Due to the large proportion of Afro-Caribbean males entering society out of prison, the majority of Afro-Caribbean males are then viewed as criminals.

The prejudice placed against Afro-Caribbean’s marginalises them in society, especially in the different employment sectors. As stated in my aims, I believe the Black British population has been marginalised to fulfil certain roles. Such a belief remains in-line with the Marxist belief that there is constant class conflict in all areas of society. The class conflict although not race based also happens to coincide with the ethnic groups who are a majority of the lower economic scales of society. There have been growing concerns as to where the Black British middle-class professionals are and what roles they play in society.
Many claim Black professionals are not visible, due to such disadvantages young black professionals find in the job market “Hopes that education and better qualifications would hold the key to overcoming job disadvantage among young black men have been disappointed”(jrf.org.uk published 22/11/99 accessed 28/06/07).
Due to prejudices or failings within the education system sectors of employment requiring a high level of education, such as a Company Executive or Investment Banker are rarely fulfilled by members of the Black British community.
If an individual completes higher education sometimes the chances of obtaining an elusive graduate position becomes an incredulous task “UK Black unemployment figure is 13% in comparison to White unemployment of 5%” (tuc.org.uk published 2005 accessed 22/10/07). Although the majority of the Black British population at 60% are in some form of employment, this majority occupies many low-skilled, labour orientated jobs, further highlighting the marginalisation into particular sector, typifying the functionalist view that all class conflicts are necessary to maintain the equilibrium of society. However although marginalisation of Black British are caused by various factors, I shall explore the extent to which this marginalisation remains prevalent in Britain.

-Feedback would be much appreciated.

You want us to do your homework for you?

Thank you MGL another fine display of black unity, no where in my post did I insinuate for the members to do my "home-work".No. I asked for feedback or opinions on my current study.
Well since I clearly wasn't overt enough in my former post let me ask you...

What do you think of my study MGL, anything you think is an assumption or unjust?

Maybe you should look into young black kids in primary school, In primary school in , i was amongst the first few to finish my reading books in year 3, and was in top groups for every subject, things took a turn for the worst in secondary school tho., i ended up leaving with only 4 GCSEs, the funniest thing is that teachers congratulated me and said id done good?! I knew when i left id messed up,

lol, also in year 8, the deputy head sent a report home telling my mom i could not read or write, even tho i was in top group for English, and it was one of the subjects i managed to get a GCSE for. I had to drop my IT GCSE because of an error the school made. Our ICT teacher totally messed up, where we spent our whole 1st year doing nothing, then she left, we were left with no teacher and 2 years worth of work.

And i have to agree that black kids are generally marginalized in school, as soon as you get into trouble, it doesn't matter how smart you are the odds are stacked against you. I used to go in the class do nothing wrong and still end up in trouble, after a while you start to get the attitude thats theirs no point, whatever you try the results will be the same.

[quote=The Black Coup;1445453]

Britain:-An Integrated society, “A White yes, a Black maybe”

Chapter 1:-Rationale (Are chapters required in essays? Shouldn't that be Introduction?

I will be investigating the marginalisation of Afro-Caribbean and Africans focusing specifically on their experiences with the criminal justice system, There are link words missing here whether, this experience has been influenced by their experiences in education. Not making sense

I will be following those of Afro-Caribbean and African descent. Repeating yourself The sociologist Gilborn And is credentials are...? believed that the ethnocentric school system What is an ethnocentric school system? already placed the Black British males at a disadvantage, as the school system is a middle-class institution, these very same males are the children of immigrants So what about the 2nd; 3rd; 4th generations with their own cultures and values, unfamiliar with the British middle-class values; Which group are you referring to Afro-Caribbeans or Continental Africans? Either way are they really unfamiliar with British MC values? already lacking the cultural capital What the hell is cultural capital? to succeed they already become marginalised in the classroom. Give evidence

Investigating this particular subject intrigues me Intrigues! as a male of African descent I would like to investigate the plight So what is this plight? faced by many of my peers, and what is it that leads many to live such a dysfunctional life-style. What is their lifestyle? what is disfuctional about it? And what is functional? A UK statistic Source this stat shows there are more males Than what, females? in some form How many forms are there? of correctional facility than in higher education, Again where is your evidence? this is quite a disturbing fact, Disturbing for who and why? through this sociological study I aim to investigate the multitude of factors leading to mass marginalisation.

In the past few decades How many decades? the first generation of African and Caribbean settlers, were integrated into society and have come to be known as Black British, Says who? however unlike their Pakistani or Indian counterparts, this generation of children have grown up and marginalised as much as their migrant parents, in regards to their role in society. Evidence
The Black British are heavily under-represented in mainstream society, often scare in the positions of employment such as upper management. Recently a spate of shootings in London amidst the inner-city black communities has resulted in media attention focusing upon the roles of these tragic young men and their threat Very telling and emotive term to British society. The conditions in which these tragic young lives are raised are rarely confronted. And you are qualified to confront them based on what?

oks.

Chapter 2:-Context

In Britain there is a high incidence of Black British marginalisation. Define marginalisation and do you mean for your chosen study group{s} or society generally? Such marginalisation not only stems from prejudices but also from social deprivation in the many aspects of their lives. Evidence? The background issues I intend to explore as stated in my aims is whether academic underachievement is the primary root cause for social deviance. Social deviance comes as a result of frustration from the lack of prospects many of these youths. These youths live in decaying urban wastelands, in which the social structure of community, remain as rustic as the buildings which house them. EVIDENCEThe arrival of the HMS Empire Wind rush in 1948 marked the beginning of multicultural Britain. Really? So what of the communities that had arrived in the earlier waves of migration? Migrants from the West Indies and Caribbean So which one is it West Indian or Caribbean? arrived in Britain in search of work with limited cultural capital, There it is again and no definition due to poor education and lack of understanding of the British system. Whoa! EVIDENCE Prejudices and poor cultural capital left many marginalised into the most laborious and poor paying jobs.
The low social status of these migrants left many to raise their young families in impoverished conditions, always with the prospective view of their children progressing further up the social ladder.

However the education systems in many of the migrant areas So there was a different education system for various areas? were poorly equipped and remained prejudice towards this new generation of Black British. Coard (1971) published ‘How the West Indian child is made Educationally Subnormal in the British School System’, he found that institutional racism and ethnocentric testing in schools, undermined the intelligence of these Black British youth. Over thirty years on the problem What problem and are they the same now as they were more than 30yrs ago? still remains in British schools as Black boy were three times more likely to be excluded from school as white boys. Evidence Coard was a Marxist sociologist, And this is relivant because? therefore exploring education from a Marxist perspective the education system in Britain limits potential of the Black working classes to ensure they maintain their inferior position in society(in reference to aim 1). Rosenthal and Jacobson’s labelling theory (1996) indicates that Teachers label the Black British youths as limited in ability or lacking any prospects. Being labelled by teachers, the pupils then respond accordingly and do not achieve beyond their own low expectations.

Percentage of Afro-Caribbean males achieving 5A*-C’s at GCSE is just 36% much lower than their white counter-parts at 53% (irr.org.uk published 21/12/05, accessed 9/10/07). So where are the stats for 07? Where did you get these stats and how were they measured? Such a low level of achievement, often leads many to a life of idleness. [b]Your opinion or a fact? [/B ]
This low expectation in school can only be compensated by raising their own self-esteem through acts of deviance. Rambbling again
A large proportion of those involved in acts of deviance are eventually caught and imprisoned, Mass generalisation establishing Establishes how? the link between underachievement in the education system and . Due to prejudices within the courts Black males are now “Nine times more likely to be locked up than white counterparts” (blink.org.uk published 24/02/05 accessed 21/06/07).

Marxist’s will view the increasing prison population of the working Class as being a system of control. Although prison is meant to be a rehabilitation institute to enter back into society, the transition back into society is often hindered by the inability to gain economic viability, through employment. Your opinion or the marxist's ? Due to the large proportion of Afro-Caribbean males entering society out of prison, the majority of Afro-Caribbean males are then viewed as criminals. Makes sense

The prejudice placed against Afro-Caribbean’s marginalises them in society, especially in the different employment sectors. As stated in my aims, I believe I and believe in academic essay's, is that allowed? the Black British population has been marginalised to fulfil certain roles. What are these roles and what is your evidence?
Such a belief remains in-line with the Marxist belief that there is constant class conflict in all areas of society. What as class conflict got to do with this? What eles do Marxist belive? The class conflict although not race based also happens to coincide with the ethnic groups who are a majority of the lower economic scales of society. There have been growing concerns as to where the Black British middle-class professionals are and what roles they play in society.
Many claim Who are these many and where is their evidence? Black professionals are not visible, Not visable to who? Do you think they exist? And what do you think their experience with the criminal justiice system whould be like? due to such disadvantages What disadvantages do young black profeessionals face? young black professionals find in the job market “Hopes that education and better qualifications would hold the key to overcoming job disadvantage among young black men have been disappointed”(jrf.org.uk published 22/11/99 accessed 28/06/07).
Due to prejudices or failings within the education system sectors of employment requiring a high level of education, such as a Company Executive or Investment Banker are rarely fulfilled by members of the Black British community.
If an individual completes higher education sometimes the chances of obtaining an elusive graduate position becomes an incredulous task “UK Black unemployment figure is 13% in comparison to White unemployment of 5%” (tuc.org.uk published 2005 accessed 22/10/07). Although the majority of the Black British population at 60% are in some form of employment, this majority occupies many low-skilled, labour orientated jobs, further highlighting the marginalisation into particular sector, typifying the functionalist view that all class conflicts are necessary to maintain the equilibrium of society. However although marginalisation of Black British are caused by various factors, I shall explore the extent to which this marginalisation remains prevalent in Britain.

-Feedback would be much appreciated.[/quote]


IF you are for real and I have some doubts then I would say forget everything your crappy teacher as told you thus far and go and read some upto date bo

Thank you for the support, I am extremely familiar with the attitude of some members of this forum, I have been a member for the past 4 years and used to post regularly under a different alias which I had to change due to e-mail address changes. My aims are extremely ambitious however how will I ever succeed if I don't at least make an attempt. To conduct the research I have arranged to visit Feltham, Aylesbury Young Offenders and Brixton Prison to interview up to 30 males from each institution, thats about as extensive as my fieldwork goes and resources may be limited but I am making do with what I have. I am actually quite surprised at the unwillingness of those on the forum to provide a little guidance or give an opinion. I will get back to you about my findings.

imported post - 02-03-06, 07:13 PM

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Black pupils 'achieving more' Black pupils gained the most improved results of any ethnic group in last year's GCSEs, according to figures released by the government.
The proportion of black Caribbean and African pupils achieving good GCSE results rose to 45% from 39%.
Achievement has risen in most ethnic groups, with the results of Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi pupils also up.
The highest achievers at GCSE level are Chinese pupils - 81% of whom achieved five good GCSE grades last year.

Below average
The government has published an analysis of pupils' achievements in the key stage tests, at GCSE level and equivalent, and post-16 attainment in England.
It breaks down results by gender, ethnicity and income background.
The proportion of black Caribbean pupils achieving five good GCSE results at grades A* - C or the equivalent qualifications was up by six percentage points to 41.7%, with 48.3% of black African pupils achieving the same.
The statistics show that Chinese pupils, Indian pupils, pupils of mixed white and Asian heritage and Irish pupils consistently achieve above the national average for all pupils in the state sector at every stage of the school system.
But Roma Gypsy and traveller children of Irish heritage still perform below the national average at all key stages and GCSE level.
Despite recording a sharp increase in results at Key Stage 2 (11 years old), their GCSE results declined this year.
Pakistani and Bangladeshi pupils also achieve below-average results at each key assessment level, including GCSE.
For example, 77% of Pakistani pupils and 78% of Bangladeshi pupils achieved the expected level at Key Stage 1 reading compared with 85% of all pupils.
Gender gap
The results also show that girls consistently outperform boys in all ethnic groups, mirroring the national picture.
Just under half of black Caribbean girls gain five or more good GCSE results, compared with 33.3% of boys.
The difference in achievement between girls and boys in England is 10.1%.
And the analysis shows that pupils who are entitled to free school meals do not perform as well as their peers.
Just under 30% of pupils entitled to free school meals achieved five or more good GCSE grades, compared with 58.9% of those who are not and 54.9% nationally.
However, that gap has narrowed over recent years - from 23% in 2002.
Schools minister Jacqui Smith said the government was making continuing progress towards closing the gap between the attainment of black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi pupils and other ethnic groups.
"The improvement in results shown by disadvantaged minority ethnic groups is a tribute to the hard work of pupils and teachers," she said.
"But there is still much more to do and we need to continue to build on this progress and close the gap even further so all pupils, regardless of ethnic or cultural background, achieve their full potential."
Shadow schools minister, Nick Gibb, said: "The progress that these figures demonstrate is enormously welcome and highlights the importance of ending the culture of low expectations that dominate too many many schools, particularly in our inner cities."


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...on/4762086.stm

Published: 2006/03/01 10:56:06 GMT

Well, it looks to me as though you've had some comment, just looks like you've chosen not to listen to it.....

I applaud your ambition; your basic proposition is trying to establish a series of cause/effect relationships that it is beyond your means to prove, so the ambition is misplaced. You have a group of people to interview, so your findings will be specific to them. My advice would be to make the most of the access you have to them, and what you find out about them. Then try to say something that hasn't been said before, or say it in a way that hasn't been tried before but will stand up intellectually. That might be the place to focus your ambition.

Tahliba has already pointed out a number of questionable assertions in your abstract; maybe you've only posted a first draft, but you need to tighten up the language if you're looking for constructive comment. I'd start with your aims, combining the wording of 1 and 2 and making your central question clearer, and dropping 3 altogether - 3 is a thesis all on its own, and I know that because I've been there.

It sounds too much like you've already decided what you're going to say, and not enough like genuine inquiry to find out 'what is', and test whether your hypothesis is valid. If your supervisor (if you have one) has approved what you've posted as the basis of your research - fair enough, but I'd think about finding another supervisor; if they haven't, you would be well advised to study and act upon what has already been said here.