Role of Education – Functionalism

What does Durkheim say social solidarity is?

Individuals need to feel part of a single body or community. Otherwise social life and cooperation would be impossible – each person would persue their own selfish desires.

How does education create this social solidarity according to Durkheim?

• Education helps as it transmits society’s culture from one generation to the next (secondary socialisation).

• School acts as ‘society in miniature’ – preparing us for life in wider society.

What relates modern industrial economies and specialist skills?

• They have a complex division of labour where production of a single item usually requires cooperation of many specialists.

• Promotes social solidarity, but each person must have specialist skills and knowledge required for their role.

How does education help with the division of labour?

Teaches individuals specialist skills and knowledge needed for performing their part/

What do Marxists say about Durkheim’s view?

• Education in capitalist society only transmits the ideology of a minority – the ruling class.

• Therefore disagrees with the principles that education instils shared values of society as a whole.

What does the Wolf Review of Vocational Education show about Durkheim’s theory?

• Claims high quality apprenticeships are rare and up to 1/3 of 16-19 year olds are on courses that don’t lead to HE or good jobs.

• Therefore suggests that perhaps the specialist skills we learn in school aren’t all the ones we need or aren’t adequately taught.

What does Parsons say education does?

School teaches meritocracy.

What does Parsons see education as?

The ‘focal socialising agency’ in modern society, acting as a bridge between the family and wider society.

Why is this bridge between family and society needed?

Family and society operate on different levels and children need to learn a new way of living if they’re to cope in the wider world.

How do the family and school + wider society differ?

• Within family children are judged by particularistic standards:

  • Status is ascribed – elder son is given different rights and duties to a younger daughter.

• School and wider society judge by universalistic standards:

  • E.g same exam is sat by all and marked with the same criteria so therefore status is achieved.

Therefore how does school prepare us?

Moving from the family as like wider society, school is based on meritocratic principles.

What is meritocracy?

Everyone is given equal opportunity and individuals achieve rewards through own effort and ability.

What is said about Parsons’ theory?

• Common saying ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’ would dispute the theory as many people in the work field have gained their position from connections they have with other people; not from ability and effort.

• Gives an advantage to people from wealthy backgrounds, people who own businesses, people who have community-related jobs.

What do Davis and Moore say school does?

Perform function of selecting and allocating pupils to their future work roles.

What do Davis and Moore focus on?

Relationship between education and social inequality.

What do Davis and Moore argue?

• Inequality is necessary so the most important roles are filled by most talented people.

  • Jobs like ‘surgeon’ and ‘airplane pilot’ could be dangerous if not. Require more talent and therefore offer higher rewards.

What does this inequality encourage?

• Competition for important roles, aiding the selection of the most talented.

  • Education is the proving ground for ability, where the individuals show what they can do.

What do Blau and Duncan call this?

Human capital

What do modern economies depend on human capital for?

Prosperity

How does education create human capital best?

Each person is allocated to the role that suits their abilities and makes the most effective use of their talents and therefore maximises productivity.

What is human capital?

Competition for higher roles which have higher rewards which aids the selection of the most talented and best suited to the role. Assigns worth to the individual based on the skills they have within society.

What does Tumin say about David and Moore?

It’s a circular argument:

• How do we know a job is important?

• Because it’s highly rewarded.

• Why are some jobs highly rewarded?

• Because they’re more important.