So far…..
Functionalism & Education
EDUCATION HAS 3 MAIN FUNCTIONS THAT
HELP SOCIETY.
1. Teaches skills needed for work.
2. Sifts and sorts (the allocation function).
3. Passes on core values (secondary agent of
socialisation).
Education – A Functionalist Perspective
Functionalists argue that education has 3 broad functions:
1. Socialisation – Education helps to maintain society by socialising
young people into key cultural values, such as achievement,
individualism, competition and equality of opportunity.
2. Skills provision – Education teaches the skills required by modern
industrial society, from general skills such as literacy and numeracy, to
the skills needed for particular occupations.
3. Role allocation – Education allocates people into the most
appropriate job for their talents, using examinations and qualifications.
Equality of opportunity – everyone has the chance to achieve success in
society.
Education – A Functionalist Perspective
Emile Durkheim, who is often regarded as the founder of functionalist
thought, viewed education as a vehicle by which norms and values are
passed on. Therefore, education has the effect of integrating
individuals into society – thus encouraging social order through a values
consensus.
Education – A Functionalist Perspective
Talcott Parsons developed Durkheim’s functionalist ideas. He
describes school in the context of it being a bridge between the family
and adult roles within society. Schools transmit the universal value of
achievement. It does this because it is meritocratic – the ‘best’
students rise to the top. Parsons agrees with Durkheim in that
education helps people agree about norms and values.
Functionalism & Education
Is education really meritocratic?
Think about patterns of differential
achievement in terms of class, ethnicity and
gender….
Functionalism & Education
Does education really prepare people for
work?
Think about the skills shortages in society –
e.g. engineering…