functionalism - education

what are the 3 functions of education according to functionalists

1. socialisation

2. skills provision

3. role allocation

what is socialisation

education helps maintain society by socialising young children into key cultural values (e.g. achievement, competition)

what is skills provision

education teaches the skills required by a modern industrial society, e.g. specialised skills

what happens when division of labour increases in complexity

more education is required to achieve the proper qualifications

what is role allocation

education allows people to be allocated to the most appropriate jobs for their talents, using qualifications and exams

who are the 3 functionalists who discussed education

1. durkheim

2. parsons

3. davis and moore 

when did durkheim do his work

1858-1917

what did durkheim say

he believed education served 2 major functions: social solidarity and specialist skills

what does durkheim believe about social solidarity (3)

• society’s members must feel part of a community and learn moral responsibilities, to reduce selfish desire

• in school, secondary socialisation is taught which teaches specific values

• e.g. in america, children learn american history and pledge alliegance to the american flag which helps confirm their social identity

what did durkheim believe about specialist skills (2)

• skills which require specialist knowledge are taught in schools

• they prepare people for further education and the world of work

what did durkheim say school acts as

‘society in miniature’, which teaches:

• how to interact

• important values (e.g. teamwork)

• sanctions which reflect real life laws 

when did parsons do his work

1961

what did parsons describe the function of school as

a bridge between school and the family

what does this ‘bridging the gap’ do

socialises children to adapt to a meritocratic view of achievement

what does the family teach

particularistic values

what is a particularistic value

rules and values which prioritise personal relationships

what does school teach 

universalistic values 

what is a universalistic value

rules and values which apply equally to all members of society 

what does parsons argue the school does

teach children universalistic views → promotes social mobility

what is social mobility

movement of individuals up or down the social hierarchy

what 2 types of statues does parsons also describe

ascribed and achieved status

what is ascribed status

status people are born into (familial, class)

what is achieved status

status achieved based on an individual’s hard work

what does school promote 

achieved success 

what is a meritocracy 

society where everything (jobs, wages) is earnt, based on skill and talent 

what is social solidarity

the integration of people into society through shared values and culture, which form social cohesion 

when did davis and moore work 

1945

what did davis and moore research

education’s role in wider society, especially the world of work

what did they focus on particularly

role allocation

what did they say about role allocation (3)

• education acts as a ‘proving ground’ for ability

• this allocates the most appropriate roles for a persons talents

• the most able = highest qualifications = best jobs, and vice versa

what does role allocation promote

hard work and meritocracy → this motivates people to work 

what do d+m argue is necessary

inequality → not everyone can have the top jobs. the less able fill less able jobs

what do functionalists generally promote

equality of opportunity

what is equality of opportunity

the idea that everyone has an equal chance of success on the basis of ability

what are 4 positive evaluations of functionalism (on education)

1. role allocation

2. vocational focus

3. equality

4. solidarity

how is role allocation an example of a positive evaluation

those with degrees earn 85% more than those without 

how is vocational focus an example of a positive evaluation

school is more ‘work focused’ now, preparing people for the world of work

how is equality an example of a positive evaluation

school is much more meritocratic now then in the 19th C

how is solidarity an example of a positive evaluation

assemblies, pshe

what are 4 criticisms of functionalism (in education)

1. culture clashes

2. class inequality

3. lack of training

4. no equality of opportunity

what is culture clashes (2)

• marxists → those with power in society create inequality; they suggest there is no value consensus and culture passed down in school is of the ruling class 

• feminists → school is a patriarchal system which disadvantages girls 

what is class inequality (2)

• there are doubts of the importance of achieved status

• upper classes elite status is very advantageous (e.g. ethnic background, gender)

what is lack of training

school often doesn’t teach vocational skills (successfully) and so they must be taught ‘on the job’

who argues no equality of opportunity 

bowles and gintis 

what is no equality of opportunity

• everyone doesn’t have the same starting point

• not everyone has the same chance of success

• gender and ethnicity are very influential

when did they say this

2011