Refereed journal article or data article (A1)

University non-admittance and anomie: Reconsidering the promise of an egalitarian society




List of AuthorsIsopahkala-Bouret Ulpukka

PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Publication year2020

JournalBritish Journal of Sociology of Education

Journal name in sourceBRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION

Journal acronymBRIT J SOCIOL EDUC

Volume number41

Issue number3

Start page361

End page367

Number of pages16

ISSN0142-5692

eISSN1465-3346

DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2020.1726172

URLhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01425692.2020.1726172

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/46087976


Abstract
The core theme of this article is the emerging tension between the egalitarian discourse that increases the general aspiration of people to become more educated and actual admission constraints. A desire to attend a university and not being allowed to (i.e. non-admittance) is a loss that can potentially result in an anomic condition. Anomie theory gives a sociological explanation for a painful situation in which there is a cultural overemphasis on success combined with structurally limited opportunities. In this study, the focus is on the experiences of prospective students who have been applying to a selective university in Finland without gaining admission. The data consists of 50 personal online narratives. The analysis is presented in accordance with a conceptual typology of individual responses to the conditions of non-admittance. The findings yield important insights regarding university choice, meritocratic selection and formulation of equitable admission policies.

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Last updated on 2022-07-04 at 17:47