An American Dilemma: Using Action Research to Frame Social Class As an Issue of Social Justice in Teacher Education Courses. - Teacher Education Quarterly

An American Dilemma: Using Action Research to Frame Social Class As an Issue of Social Justice in Teacher Education Courses.

By Teacher Education Quarterly

  • Release Date: 2005-03-22
  • Genre: Education

Description

Conceptual Framework In the middle of the 20th century the noted Swedish sociologist Gunnar Myrdal called attention to an American dilemma. Myrdal wrote that America has continuously struggled for its soul by waging a battle to effectuate the ideals upon which American society was founded (Myrdal 1944, 4). He asserted that the political and judicial frameworks governing American institutions were at war with the personal desires and individual actions of many Americans. Myrdal observed that although the United States has a rich history of established legal rights for historically marginalized groups, conflicts arise when individuals are called upon to enforce and support the rights of such groups.