Author Question: The conflict perspective emphasizes that education reproduces the social class structure. Show how ... (Read 125 times)

bcretired · **on:** Jul 2, 2018

The conflict perspective emphasizes that education reproduces the social class structure. Show how the concept of the hidden curriculum perpetuates social inequality.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Discuss the similarities and differences between a conflict of interest in medicine and medical fraud.

What will be an ideal response?

JYan · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A hidden curriculum is a term used to describe the unwritten rules of behavior and attitudes that are taught in addition to the formal curriculum. In the United States, schools teach obedience to authority and conformity to cultural norms. Conflict theorists believe that the hidden curriculum in middle school differs from that taught in lower class schools and this perpetuates social inequality. Teachers in middle class schools stress proper English and good manners to prepare these students for the better paying occupations. In inner-city schools, teachers stress obeying the rules to prepare these students for the closely supervised, low-status jobs for which they are destined. Through such mechanisms, the hidden curriculum helps the elite to maintain social inequality.

Answer to Question 2

A conflict of interest arises when a doctor favors a particular treatment for a patient, not because it is necessarily the best treatment, but because the doctor will financially benefit from it. Examples of this are cancer specialists purchasing specific drugs to treat their patients at a substantial discount and then selling them to their patients for large profits. Another example is limiting the drugs prescribed to companies in which the doctor has stock. Medical fraud is actual fabrication of care that was supposedly given to obtain payment. A common abuse of medicine qualifying as fraud is billing Medicare for treatment that was not provided.