Education: functionalist perspective Flashcards
Define what Durkheim meant by the term ‘social solidarity’
members of society must feel like they’re part of a community or a single ‘body
what does Durkheim argue would be the case without social solidarity? (what happens in a society without this?)
social life cooperation would be impossible as each individual would be focused on self interest alone.
how does education help to create social solidarity?
also give an example of how this is done
by transmitting society’s shared beliefs and values onto younger and future generations
eg. by schools teaching a country’s history
how do schools foster social cohesion?
by children participating in group work at school, they learn to work even with people they may dislike. this prepares them for the workplace
Explain Durkheim’s view on schools teaching specialist schools
“he thinks that education teaches individuals the…”
he thinks that education teaches individuals the…
specialist knowledge and skills needed to play their part in the social division oof labour .
give an example of how education teaches specialist skills using an aspiring doctor in ur example
an aspiring doctor can become a doctor because education (as an institution) enables them to be able to study biology at alevel (or an equivalent) or university would offer the right courses.
how do functionalist view vocational education and training?
as something tht teaches individuals the specific skills they need to perform role in society
how would a marxist critique new vocationalism?
they’d say it reproduces existing inequalities
how does cohen criticise new vocationalism? (marxism)
they say that youth training scheme teach young workers attitudes and values needed in a subordinate workforce (eg. obey superiors and accept low pay as you’re subordinate) rather than teach actual skills
