Johnson sees the school experience as inculcating children of widely different backgrounds with a common set of myths, rituals, and values important to the continuity of our national culture. He describes how, in ordinary classroom life, the children are conditioned to look after themselves rather than others, to rank the worth of others by race and sex, to separate work and play, and to consume rather than produce—lessons often different from the stated curriculum.Originally published in 1985.A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.