Review,
Invisible parenting? Middle-class choice within schools in Denmark
Affiliations
- [1] University College Absalon [NORA names: University College Absalon; College; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
- [2] University of Southern Denmark [NORA names: SDU University of Southern Denmark; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]
Abstract
When given school choice, middle-class parents are known to use various strategies that increase segregation. This has also been observed in Nordic countries despite their belief in equality and the norm of children’s autonomy. This paper presents an analysis of interviews with children from two tracks at a Danish comprehensive school. Specifically, we analyse the children’s narratives about their parents’ involvement in their choice of track. The analysis reveals parent involvement ranging from invisible to visible pedagogies. On the basis of this, we discuss whether some modes of parenting are preferable in terms of reducing social reproduction.
Keywords
Middle-class parenting,
concerted cultivation,
invisible pedagogy,
school choice,
social reproduction