The role of education

Marxist view of education

School is used by the ruling class (bourgeoisie) to reproduce inequality, serves capitalism through ensuring working class failure, critisies functionlism and the new right perspectives

Criticisms of Marxist view of education

This perspective only cares about class and ignores other I equalities. Education in modern society tends to represent diversity not inequality. Willis’ study was small and romanticised counter culture.

Althusser

Marxist. Education acts as an Ideological State Apparatus, by reproducing class inequality through the failure of working class students and the success of others, this is supported by the myth of meritocracy. Education also legitimises class inequality through instilling capitalist ideologies.

Bowles and Gintis

Marxist. Both schools and workplaces are hierarchies. The hidden curriculum ensures the working class are prepared for their future roles as exploited workers, reproducing the workforce needed to sustain capitalism and class inequality.

Willis

Marxist. Learning to labour study where students attempt to counter school culture by creating a subculture which opposes school rules and norms. Willis argued that the lads own desires reproduced working class conditions

Marxist sociologists

Althusser, Willis, Bowles and Gintis

The hidden curriculum

Lessons that are learnt in school which aren't directly taught, e.g. accepting hierarchy, competition and working for rewards

Functionalist view of education

Believe the education system provides necessary functions for society

Criticisms of the functionalist view of education

Meritocracy is a myth, there are no equal opportunities. Education system fails young people entering work due to a lack of specialist skills taught

Functionalist sociologists