Functionalist no2

Functionalists see education as a positive institution that maintains social order and prepares individuals for the workplace. Education is based on meritocracy and serves the needs of the economy and promoting social solidarity.

Durkheim: Social solidarity and specialist skills

  • Education creates a sense of belonging and shared norms/values-

    Schools teach shared norms and values so they can live peacefully within a society

    The curriculum- History helps them develop a shared sense of identity

    School anthem can reinforce unity

  • Social solidarity- Schools are a society- They teach cooperation, discipline and commitment to the wider community

  • Education teaches specialist skills for a complex division of labour (engineers/ doctors)

In a complex society, individuals have to learn a range of skills to perform specific roles in the division of labour

Therefore, the school system teaches the general education (basic maths and English) and specialist skills (vocational or technical) needed for economic or social functions

Strengths-

  • Durkheim focus on the importance of social cohesion highlights how education helps to unify a diverse society

  • His view on specialist skills reflects the importance of schools in preparing students for modern economies

Criticisms-

  • Marxists argue that Durkheim overlooks how the education system reinforces class inequalities benefiting the elite

  • Feminists point out Durkheim ignores how schools often reinforce gender roles and patriarchy

  • Education dosen’t always promote solidarity but instead creates division

Parsons: Bridge between family and society

  • Acts as bridge because in the family you get treated as an individual and in school and society your treated by universal standards

  • Believed education operates on a meritocratic basis

Everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and success is based on ability and effort and not class, gender or background

School rewards those who work hard and perform well- reflecting the values of wider society and capitalism

Exam results determine who goes to the best university therefore, who gets the best job

  • Education helps to maintain a value consensus- Shared norms and values needed for a stable society

Parsons believed the two main values promoted by a society are achievement and equality of opportunity

  • Education helps to match individuals to roles in society

Strengths

  • Helps to explain how individuals are prepared for impersonal rules of modern society

  • Recognises the importance of schools in promoting shared norms and values

  • Reflects how schools and workplaces operate with rules and standards

Criticisms-

  • Marxists disagree that society is meritocratic- Argue schools reinforce class inequality and serve interests of capitalism

  • Feminists say education dosen’t offer equal opportunity- Gender roles are reinforced in subject choices and expectations

  • Cultural capital, race and class can affect success

Davis and Moore: Role allocation

  • Role allocation

Education is a mechanism for selecting and allocating individuals into the most appropriate roles in society

Does this by assessing talents, skills and efforts

Most able and hardworking are sorted into the most functionally important jobs (doctors) which offer higher rewards

  • Inequality is necessary

Argue that social inequality is functional and necessary

Some jobs are more important to the functioning of society (Surgeons vs Baristas)

Require more skill and training therefore, offer a better reward

  • Meritocracy reinforced

Believe education was meritocratic- Positions are earned through ability and effort and not background or effort

Schools promote this idea which makes it seem fair

Strengths-

Explains how education prepares individuals for specific jobs and roles

Highlights a link between education, motivation and economic needs

Criticisms-

Marxists argue that this is a myth as inequality is based on social class and capital not meritocracy

Feminists say that gender inequality in the job market means its not fair or meritocratic

Evaluation of functionalist view

Strengths

Highlights the importance of education in maintaining social cohesion

Explains how schools match people to jobs and prepare them for the wider society

Criticisms

Marxists- Education legitimates inequality

Feminists- Education reinforces patriarchal values- gender roles still exists in school

Not all students succeed despite equal opportunities so meritocracy is a myth