Introduction

Abstract

Yet another sociology book about the education of teenagers; yet another trendy left-wing treatise on what’s wrong with everything; in writing this book it becomes obvious that there appears to be a surfeit of books about this topic already. The major reaction to the subject would be an uninterested glance from the general public and a groan of horror from those learning the sociology of education at yet another book on the reading list. Doubtless full of jargon and out of touch, leaving the teacher saying ‘It’s all very well for you to talk! YOU want to try coping with 4D on a Friday afternoon!’ All of these reactions are well-founded in people’s experience of the usefulness of sociology in coming to terms with their problems over the past twenty years.