ROLE & FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATION

What do Functionalists believe about education?

It benefits society by creating social stability, shared values, and preparing people for work.

What did Durkheim say about education?

Education creates social solidarity by teaching shared norms and values and preparing individuals for life in wider society.

What did Parsons argue about education?

Education acts as a bridge between family and society and sorts individuals into roles through role allocation.

What is meritocracy?

A system where success is based on ability and effort, not social class. It promotes equal opportunities for individuals to succeed based on their talents.

What is role allocation?

The process of sorting people into jobs based on ability (e.g. through exams).

Give one evaluation of Functionalism.

Marxists argue education is not meritocratic and instead reproduces inequality.

What do Marxists believe about education?

It benefits capitalism by reproducing class inequality and maintaining ruling-class power.

What did Althusser argue?

Education is an Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) that spreads ruling-class ideas.

What did Bowles & Gintis argue?

The correspondence principle — school mirrors the workplace and prepares students for exploitation.

What is the hidden curriculum?

Unwritten rules taught in school (e.g. obedience, punctuality).

What is the correspondence principle?

The idea that school structure reflects the workplace hierarchy.

What is reproduction of class inequality?

The idea that working-class students remain working class across generations.

Give one evaluation of Marxism.

It is deterministic and ignores individual success and choice.

What is the Neo-Marxist view of education?

Education is oppressive but students can resist it.

What did Paul Willis find?

Working-class “lads” rejected school but still ended up in working-class jobs.

What is a counter-school subculture?

A group that rejects school values and authority.

Give one evaluation of Neo-Marxism.

It romanticises rebellion and doesn’t explain all students.

What do the New Right believe about education?

It should operate like a market to improve standards.

What did Chubb & Moe argue?

Competition between schools improves quality and efficiency.

What is marketisation?

Schools competing for students like businesses.

What is parentocracy?

Parents have the right to choose their child’s school.

Give one evaluation of the New Right.

It increases inequality as middle-class parents benefit more.

What is the social democratic view of education?

Education should reduce inequality and promote equal opportunities.

What is equality of opportunity?

Everyone has a fair chance to succeed regardless of background.

Give an example of a policy.

Free school meals or Pupil Premium.

Give one evaluationof social democrats

Inequality still exists despite these policies.

What do feminists believe about education?

It reinforces gender inequality and patriarchy.

What is patriarchy?

A system where men hold more power than women.

What is gender socialisation?

Learning gender roles through institutions like school.

Give one evaluation of feminism.

Girls now outperform boys, suggesting progress.

What do postmodernists believe about education?

It has no single function and reflects diversity and choice.

What is fragmentation?

Society is no longer unified — many different experiences exis

Give one evaluation. of post modernism

Ignores inequalities like class differences.