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Pierre Bourdieu Coins the Term ‘Habitus’ to Explain the Role of the Body in Class Reproductive Dynamics. Summarize His Position

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Sociology of the Body Pierre Bourdieu coins the term ‘habitus’ to explain the role of the body in class reproductive dynamics. Summarize his position Introduction Pierre Bourdieu’s account of class reproductive dynamics stems from his belief that your “habitus” dictates how your body engages in the reproductive dynamics of class theory. This notion of “habitus” has become central to the studies on social inequality. Bourdieu and Structuralism Bourdieu is a typical example of a structuralist. Structuralism is concerned with macro-theories and the functionalist school of thought along with conflict theories, which were illustrated by Durkheim and Marx, respectively. Structure confines the person to a certain area, and restrains them to …show more content…

In other words, the habitus enables sociologists, more or less, to resolve the troublesome dichotomy between subject/object and structure/agency. The habitus is rooted in the body and exists through the practice of actors and their interactions with each other and their environment. It does not comprise manifestations of social behaviour but is integral to that behaviour and a combination of the personal and the systemic (Jenkins 1992: 74) (Butler & Robson, 2003, p 37) “The power of habitus derives from the thoughtlessness of habit and habituation, rather than consciously learned rules and principles” (Jenkins, 1992, p76) Reproduction Theory The reproduction theory, started by the left Neo Marxist phase in the 60’s concentrates on the concept of ideology and the nature of capitalism and the state “apparatus” The ideology of capitalism is what holds together the exploitative system of social inequality. Schools are perpetuated by capitalism, which leads to a meritocracy society. All of these class structures and inequalities are produced by institutional systems like education, religion and family. These internal workings of such institutions send the tacit message that people are in the place they deserve in society. This can be compared to the far right, chain of thought - Thatcherism, being one.

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