Literature Review #2: Social Class and Social Integration

Dr. Mark Rubin

Dr. Mark Rubin teaches at the University of Newcastle, Australia, in their School of Psychology. A lot of his work focuses on the social processes and problems. He looks at how the collective or specific group is affected by various instances. He deals with things like socialization, social identity, social integration, and even social exclusion.


The journal stresses that first-generation students are more likely to be working-class students. It stresses that students that are first generation tend to work their way through college. Either they feel obliged to pay loans as they go, or they feel as though their families cannot afford the additional fees that come along with attending college. Because of this stress on being working-class students, there are generally three things that impede working-class students' college success.

Working-class students are less likely to receive social support for their higher education studies from their family and hometown friends.

Working-class students are less likely to receive informational support from their parents because their parents do not usually have any personal experience of the higher education system.

Working-class students are less likely to have access to higher education norms and role models in their families.

The privatization of college, has increased the pressure on first-generation students to pick up jobs while schooling. That in itself has a trickle down effect and prevents students from engaging in activities at school. Therefore, there is less time and opportunity for first generation students to engage in student life. Privatization of colleges increases the stress of paying off loans as soon as possible,

Work Cited

Rubin, Mark. "Social class differences in social integration among students in higher education: A meta-analysis and recommendations for future research.." Journal of Diversity in Higher Education 5 (2011): 22-38. Print.