Functionalists views on education

What is Durkheim's view on education?

Durkheim believes that education is essential to society as it builds social cohesion and connects individuals to their culture.

Talcott Parsons

Believes education is the most important secondary agent, families socialise us into particularistic values but schools socialise us into universalistic values.

Davies and Moore

There must be a functional reason for inequality and it is necessary and universal as all societies have inequalities. Education system sifts and sorts children to take on those roles, those with higher qualifications will get better jobs

What is a criticism that culture transmits through socialisation?

There isn’t one culture to be shared and values taught only reflect one ideology typically middle class views.

What is a criticism to the view that school bridges a gap between home and school values?

Most powerful people in society come from wealth and privilege they have been able to access opportunities that are not available to the many.

What is a criticism that education provides a good and highly values trained workforce?

Most people ‘learn on the job’ schools teach obedience not skill

What is a criticism to Davis and Moore?

Given the power of middle-class white men in society we are left to believe that ethnic minorities, working class and the poor lack talent.