Ed - Postmodernism

What is the Postmodernist view of education and society compared to Functionalist and Marxist perspectives?

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Q: What do Postmodernists mean by a "consumer society"?
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Q: What are the main criticisms of the Postmodernist view of education?
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• Overstates how new and different the current era is compared to before.

• Ignores enduring inequalities of class, gender, and ethnicity that shape education.

• Critics argue education is still largely shaped by capitalist and meritocratic ideologies (Marxist and Functionalist perspectives remain relevant).

Postmodernists argue that neither Functionalists nor Marxists can fully explain society today because both assume a structured, stable, and predictable system. In contrast, Postmodernists see society as fluid, fragmented, and diverse, with education reflecting these changes by catering to choice, flexibility, and cultural hybridity.

What do Postmodernists mean by a "consumer society"?

Education has become marketised and consumer-driven, where students and parents are seen as consumers. Choice and competition shape how schools operate. This reflects broader consumerism in society, where identity is expressed through choices, including educational ones.

How do Postmodernists view cultural diversity and hybridity in education?

Postmodernists argue that education now reflects cultural diversity and hybridity, offering multiple curricula and respecting different identities. This contrasts with Functionalism (which sees education as promoting one set of shared values) and Marxism (which sees education as promoting ruling-class ideology).

What do Postmodernists mean by a "fragmented society"?

Society is no longer cohesive or united by one dominant set of values. Instead, it is fragmented into diverse lifestyles, subcultures, and value systems. Education reflects this through increased subject choice, varied teaching styles, and the recognition of different learner needs.

What is Baudrillard’s concept of "hyper-reality"?

Baudrillard (1981) argues that the rise of media technology has created a world where what we see in the media becomes "hyper-real" — more real than reality itself. For example, media coverage of wars presents a distorted version of events that becomes the only reality most people know.

What are the main criticisms of the Postmodernist view of education?

• Overstates how new and different the current era is compared to before.

• Ignores enduring inequalities of class, gender, and ethnicity that shape education.

• Critics argue education is still largely shaped by capitalist and meritocratic ideologies (Marxist and Functionalist perspectives remain relevant)

Baudrillard

concept of hyper-reality: media distort reality and become the only reality many people know.