Cultural Hegemony in the Public School System

Cultural hegemony certainly exists in today's society, and subsequently in the school system. Our society is governed by a small, elite group who makes decisions based on the needs and desires of the dominant group, not what will benefit society as a whole. This hegemony is further perpetrated in our school system, which ensures that, minus a cultural revolution, it will continue for the foreseeable future. 

Students in public schools across the United States are are conditioned through curriculum to believe that the dominant culture in the U.S. is the superior one, and all others are inferior - regardless of any benefits they may possess. From an early age students are taught that assimilating to the ways of the European colonists was the only way to a successful society, and that if any other peoples - namely Native Americans and African Americans - they must shed their culture entirely and adapt the European ways. This continues as students progress through their education, learning the dangers of communism and socialism, and how they must believe that the capitalistic system which exists in America is far superior. For the most part, students are not asked to think critically and examine the facets of these different cultures and come to their own conclusion, rather it is presented as fact that the predominant culture that has existed in America is the superior one. 

The debate in Arizona regarding the recent banning of ethnic studies is an excellent example of cultural hegemony and the expectation of assimilation. Many of the opponents of the program felt that it was inappropriate to be presenting another culture in a positive light, and possibly showing a negative side to American history. What this debate really shows is a refusal to teach students to be critical, independent thinkers, and that many people believe our education system is simply a indoctrination of cultural beliefs.

Cultural hegemony is present outside of the curriculum as well, as students are expected to assimilate to the dominant culture in schools, regardless of their own. One example is the dress and grooming code, a student can face disciplinary consequences for having his hair a certain length, regardless of his cultural norms.  All students are presented with a set of rules and regulations he or she must follow each year, and this set of guidelines allows cultural assimilation to take place. 

Many educational leaders and academics feel that education for its own sake is worthy, however the consensus in society today appears to be that education is simply a means to an end. In every discussion regarding education one will hear how it is affecting the competitiveness of the U.S. in the world economy, how it will affect the job sector, what areas we should be concentrating on for the jobs of the future etc. When asking a student why he or she wants to go to college, you will most likely hear "To get a good job!" We are so focused on providing an education for a future job that the real value of education has been lost.