functionalism-education

• What do functionalists say the role of education is?

  Socialisation, Skills Provision and Role Allocation (SSR)
• What are the key writers for Functionalism?

  Durkheim, Parsons and Davis and Moore
• What does Durkheim argue?

  That social solidarity is needed in society to give people a sense of belonging.
• What would happen without social solidarity?

  People would pursue their on selfish needs creating anomie.
• So what is the key role of education?

  It transmits values and ideas that maintains order.
• Who do functionalists suggest education benefits?

  Everyone
• What type of institution is it?

  A positive one
• What subject do they see as crucial?

  History
• What is an example of school transmitting values that create social solidarity?

  America teaches history as well as pledges allegiance to their flag everyday at school which is important as there is so much diversity it provides a shared consensus.
• How is socialisation transmitted?

  Through the official and hidden curriculum.
• What else does Durkheim argue?

  That education equips children with specialist skills, knowledge and values needed for success in future jobs.
• What was the case in preindustrial societies?

  Jobs were unspecialised and the economy needed workers with fairly basic skills so informal education was provided.
• Why has this changed?

  Due to the industrial revolution and technological advances so the economy needed more specialised and skilled workers so education formally evolved.
• What contemporary links can be made?

  Vocational education and training introduced by the government
• Who supports Durkeim's views?

  Parsons
• What did parsons say?

  That education acts as a bridge between the family and wider society due to different principles.
• What are these different principles?

  The family has particularistic standards and ascribed status whereas society has universalistic standards and achieved status so you have to work hard to achieve.
• What else does Parsons argue?

  That education is based on the principle of meritocracy.
• Define meritocracy?

  Where everyone is given an equal opportunity to succeed and all rewards and status are based on their own efforts.
• How does this relate to society?

  Promoted or sacked based on your own efforts at work.
• Who did research on Role Allocation?

  Davis and Moore.
• What do Davis and Moore argue?

  That schools allocate students into their future roles and therefore inequality is crucial.
• What are vital and why?

  Grades due to the fact that they enable the most academically talented students to occupy the most important positions in society.
• Why is meritocracy linked to this?

  It allows everyone to compete for these positions.
• HOWEVER?

  However, Marxists argue that such schemes only benefit capitalist companies who benefit from cheap labour and also lower the aspirations of young children by giving them low skilled jobs.
• As well?

  Marxists also argue that schools only transmit the ideology of ruling class and further suppress the working class.
• Who do functionalists suggest education benefits (1/3)?

  Socialization: education helps socialize individuals by teaching them the norms, values, and behaviors of their society.
• Who do functionalists suggest education benefits (3/3)?

  Meritocracy and Social Integration: education promotes meritocracy and fosters social integration by bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and promoting understanding and tolerance.