Sociologists Bowles and Gintis argue that working-class students are socialized for working-class jobs. In your studies, you see that the Hallway Hangers have all chosen the same ocupational education program. Do you think that they are doing this simply to stick to what they think is their future? Even Slick, a Hanger with a high level of achievement, chose to be in a vocational program.
Sociologist James Rosenbaum found that guidance counselors often channel students into particular tracks based on their social class and not grades. You do not posses sufficent data to prove Rosenbaum's conclusion, but it is plain to see that by making children choose their own educational path at a young age can reinforce low aspirations.
The Hallway Hangers are enrolled in the lowest educational tracks and are failing their classes. Thought the Hangers do not stake too much of their self-esteem in school, the judgement of academic inferiority still hangs over them. You see as a sociologist that the subculture of the Hallway Hangers is based on toughness, but it is not adequate defense from the main culture that demands success in school and work. Listening to the tales of the Hangers, you detect a sense of shame.
You see that the Hangers cannot be both part of their subculture and a high achiever. They have set themselves up to continue on in their current pattern of low aspiration in exchange for being part of a loyal group of friends.
Continue on page 386.
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