Functionalist perspective on education

What are the 3 positive functions Functionalist see for the education system + sociologist:

• Social solidarity & specialist skills (Durkheim)

• Meritocracy (Parsons)

• Role allocation (Davis and Moore)

What did Durkheim argue about education and what type of sociologist is he ?

Durkheim 2 main functions of education: social solidarity and teaching specialist skills.

Social solidarity the social glue that binds a society together, characterized by the feeling of unity, cohesion, and shared purpose among its members.

Specialist skills are the specific skills taught by education that the general public may not know. Such as skills to become a specific type of doctor etc.

Parsons role of school

He sees school as a ‘focal socialising agency’. He argues schools provide the socialisation that the home will not. A family may socialise students into certain norms and values that may not reflect onto wider society. For example whilst a family possibly would treat a son and a daughter differently based on gender, age and even sex, school and therefore society judges everyone equally and impersonally. Everyone will abide by the same laws etc.

Davis and Moore argument about education

Role allocation: This is the idea that school allocates us to the best roles suited to our abilities. 

They argue inequality is necessary to ensure that the most important roles such as a pilot or a surgeon is filled with the right people. 

What is a meritocratic education system?

This is a system that argues success is based on a student's individual ability and effort, rather than their social class, background, or other external factors.

The New Right and Functionalists similarities and differences

Similarities

• Both believe some people are naturally more talented than others

• Favour a meritocratic education system (individual will succeed based on merit rather than class), of open competition and one that serves the needs of the economy by preparing young people for work.

Differences

• a key difference is that The New Right do not believe that the current education system is achieving these goals because of the government. This is due to the governments ‘one size fits all’ education approach which does not fit the needs of different classes, cultures, genders etc.

Criticisms of functionalist view on education

• Equality in education does not exist for example, reasons such as achievement being influenced from class decisions rather than ability. - Marxist

• Marxists argue that education is really about transmitting capitalistic values. - Althusser’s ISAs.

• Those that fail at school due to poor primary socialisation feel like they don’t belong so create anti school subcultures and reject school values - Willis

• The New Right argue that state education fails to prepare young people adequately for work as the state discourages efficiency, competition and choice.