functionalist perspective on education

• the four positive functions that education performs:

  • creating social solidarity
  • teaching skills necessary for work
  • teaching us core values
  • role allocation and meritocracy
• functionalists for education:

  durkheim

  parsons

  davis and moore
• creating social solidarity is a way of creating a sense of belonging and a sense of shared identity
• we have social solidarity when we feel we are part of something bigger
• social solidarity is done through the learning of subjects such as History and English which give us a shared sense of identity.
• Durkheim argued that school is a 'society in miniature' which prepares us for life in wider society
• 'School is a society in miniature' - e.g. both in school and at work we have to cooperate with people who are neither friends or family which gets us ready for dealing with people at work in later life.