Ain't No Makin It

Counter-school culture refers to the attitudes and behaviors exhibited by students who actively resist the values and norms promoted by their educational institutions. Paul Willis’s concept is explored in MacLeod’s work to describe the Hallway Hangers’ rejection of school norms and their consequent entrenchment in their class status. This term elucidates how the group’s defiance is both a form of resistance to perceived systemic injustices and a mechanism that inadvertently perpetuates their socioeconomic stagnation.

Cultural capital refers to non-financial social assets, such as education, intellect, manner of speaking, or physical appearance, which promote social mobility. MacLeod uses this term to explain how schools and other institutions in Ain’t No Makin’ It often favor the cultural capital of the middle and upper classes, thus perpetuating class distinctions. This disparity influences the educational and social success of the characters in the book, primarily through the uneven distribution of opportunities.

Economic determinism is a theory suggesting that economic forces determine, shape, and define all political, social, and cultural phenomena. In Ain’t No Makin’ It, MacLeod critiques the perspective of economic determinism by discussing how Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis view educational outcomes as primarily shaped by economic needs rather than individual merit or ability. This perspective helps illustrate the book’s broader critique of how societal structures are overwhelmingly influenced by economic conditions, which predetermine the life chances of individuals in Clarendon Heights.

Meritocracy is a social system in which advancement in society is based on individual talent or achievement. MacLeod provides a critical analysis of meritocracy, challenging its validity as a truly fair or attainable principle in American society, particularly through the lens of education and economic opportunity in Clarendon Heights. The book argues that meritocracy often serves as a facade that masks the significant role of social class and other structural inequalities in determining individual success.

Social mobility refers to people’s movement through a system of social hierarchy or stratification. In Ain’t No Makin’ It, social mobility is a central theme, as MacLeod examines the forces that enable or inhibit the upward movement of the book’s groups—the Hallway Hangers and the Brothers. The analysis highlights how societal structures, family background, and community dynamics impact the ability of individuals to improve their socioeconomic status.

Social reproduction is a concept that refers to the perpetuation of inequalities through social institutions like families, schools, and communities. MacLeod explores this concept extensively, demonstrating how the social and economic conditions of parents tend to be replicated in their children. The book details how the educational system and family life in Clarendon Heights contribute to a cycle where the disadvantaged backgrounds of the youth are likely to continue into the next generation.

Structural barriers are obstacles that collectively affect a group within a community—often based on race, social class, or geography—and limit opportunities for that group. MacLeod identifies structural barriers such as inadequate schooling, limited employment opportunities, and systemic racial discrimination, which prevent the residents of Clarendon Heights from achieving the American Dream of upward mobility.

Tracking in education is the practice of dividing students into groups based on their perceived ability to provide them with tailored educational paths. MacLeod uses this term to discuss how tracking can reinforce class divisions within schools, as it often places students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in vocational or remedial programs while reserving advanced placement courses for those from more affluent families. This segregation by ability can perpetuate social inequalities by limiting educational and, subsequently, economic opportunities for disadvantaged students.