Backgrounds Quote by Kenneth Keniston
“Schools, the institutions traditionally called upon to correct social inequality, are unsuited to the task; without economic opportunity to follow educational opportunity, the myth of equality can never become real. Far more than a hollow promise of future opportunity for their children, parents need jobs, income, and services. And children whose backgrounds have stunted their sense of the future need to be taught by example that they are good for more than they dared dream.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The School and Social Inequality, Kenneth Keniston, 1975
Education alone cannot equalize society; without jobs and services, the promise of equality remains a myth.
In simple terms: Education needs jobs and services to achieve equality.
Key Takeaway
Address economic needs alongside schooling.
Themes
education
inequality
economics
social mobility
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
analytical
policy-oriented
When to use this quote
- parental support
- job creation
- community services
- role models
Key Concepts
structural inequality
social capital
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can schools partner with employers?
- What services most help disadvantaged children?
A Different Perspective
Economic constraints limit educational impact.
