Education - functionalism - timeline...

Question 1

Who in 1880 was state education made compulsory for?

Answer 1

Up to the age of 10

Question 2

What happened in 1918 to 14 year olds?

Answer 2

State education was made compulsory to the age of 14

Question 3

What happened in 1972 to 16 year olds?

Answer 3

State education was made compulsory to the age of 16

Question 4

What happened in 1997 to 18 year olds?

Answer 4

State education was made compulsory to the age of 18

Question 5

How do functionalists see society?

Institutions run like a…?

Answer 5

See society as an interrelated whole. - every institution in society performs one or more functions or jobs which helps society to run smoothly like a well-oiled machine.

Question 6

What was Durkheims view of the role of education? (1925) Individuals, social…?

Answer 6

As the transmission of norms and values of society.
Helps to unite individuals within society, creating a sense of belonging and commitment to that society (social solidarity).

Question 7

What did schools prepare you for? (Durkheim)

Answer 7

For later life when individuals will have to get on with others and adhere to rules in society.

Question 8

What were Parsons (1961) views of the function of education?
Particularistic standards…?
Universalistic standards…?

Answer 8

1. It is a bridge between the family and wider society
2. It socialises children into the basic values of society
3. It selects people for they future roles in society

Before attending school, children are socialised within the family where particularistic standards are used - children treated as particular individuals.

In society as a whole, however, universalistic standards are usually used, in which people are judged according to standards that apply equally to everybody.

Question 9

Parsons views on status?
Ascribed
Achieved

Answer 9

In families, status is fixed, this is ascribed status. However, in society as a whole, status is based on merit, and status is therefore achieved. (Exams results = achieved status).

Question 10

What were Davis and Moore (1945) views on education as a means of role allocation?

• Important jobs - rewards?
• Meritocratic..?

Answer 10

Education sifts and sorts people according to their abilities. The most important jobs are more highly rewarded, thereby motivating the talented to work hard to achieve their positions. Meritocratic, people are judged according to their ability and effort, not according to who they are.

Question 11

Evaluation of Functionalism?
3 relevant metanarratives... 
Assumption...
Pay...
Progress..
Solidarity

Answer 11

• Marxists - meritocracy
• Feminists - patriarchy
• Interactionalists argue that they ignore the bad experiences some students have in school (negative labelling)
• Overly deterministic…
• Those with degrees earn about 85% more than those with degrees
• Education is more meritocratic than in 19th century
• School try to create soldiarity through things like assemblies and citizenship…