Paradoxical Pathways: An Ethnographic Extension of Kohn’s Findings on Class and Childrearing

Kohn’s findings show me that researchers focus and manipulate results to reach their focal end scheme. The results seem to me, be more focused on the specific families followed during this case study. I was raised in a lower-middle class family and I found that the reading completely related to me. Though more of the positives than the negatives within the readings. I see that I have parents who cared fully about my education, leisure activities and also what was being taught within my religion’s CCD. “Results imply that, at the level of actual behavior, it is implausible to assume a simple one-to-one correspondence between class and either conformity or self-direction. Rather, the relations between value commitments and behavior are complex and may entail paradoxical pathways.”

My interpretation on this conclusion is that my beliefs of the reading were confirmed. Classes can’t be a measure by values and/or self-direction. Family units have a different way of raising their children. Just like youth and the way they learn in education. Every person is different from one to the next. Families don’t care less about their children because they are low income or if they are middle class. How often do we see in the media that a celebrity is fighting with their parents/managers because they don’t get their way. People make decisions based on impulses, not morals and values. That is why many people feel regret about decisions and outcomes in life. There is truly no perfect way educate or parent youth. Experiences help the development of youth based on what they have learned from their education and what teachings their parents instill in them. Kohn’s research seemed very biased for a researcher. Looking at the article in a different lens causes a different interpretation.