Functionalism

• Social Solidarity (Durkheim 1903): each societal actor is part of a singular 'body' otherwise social life and cooperation would be impossible. School acts as 'society in miniature'
• Criticism of Social Solidarity:

  1. Capitalism promotes inequality thus no solidarity
  2. Social solidarity based on impersonal rules ensuring we obey authority
  3. Wrong 1961: functionalists have 'over-socialised' view as people passive
• Specialist Skills (Durkheim 1903): Education teaches individuals specialist knowledge for individuals to play their specialised role in society
• Criticisms of Specialist Skills:

  1. Arguably industrial society has removed specialisms rather than forced social cohesion
  2. Wolf 2011: high quality apprenticeships are rater and up to 1/3 of apprenticeships do not lead to higher education
  3. But... Newly introduced T-Levels
• Meritocracy (Parsons 1961): school as the 'focal socialisation agency' bridge between the family and society. Family based upon 'particularistic standards' v school based on 'universalistic standards'. Meritocracy instilled in schools via universalistic standards
• Criticisms of Meritocracy (Parsons 1961):

  1. assumes there is value consensus
  2. Ignores REGAC
• Role Allocation (Davis and Moore 1945): Inequality is necessary to ensure the most important roles of society are filled by the most talented. Higher rewards ensures more people apply and the most talented will be selected.
• Role Allocation (Davis and Moore 1945): School selects and allocates students to their relevant roles by measuring their aptitude. Education 'sifts and sorts'
• Criticisms of Role Allocation (Davis and Moore 1945):

  1. Tumin 1953: paradoxial argument as we know a job is important because it is highly paid but a job is only important if its highly paid
  2. But...Blau and Duncun 1978: modern exonomy depends on the prosperity of using its 'human capital'