functionalism and education

Question 1

what is durkehims view on the function of education?

Answer 1

social solidarity
education system creates this by transmitting society’s culture (shared beliefs and values) from one generation to the next.
ex. teaching of english history instills a sense of shared heritage
and schools acts as ‘society in miniature’

specialist skills
education teaches specialist knowledge and skills to perform their role in the social division of labour

Question 2

criticism of durkheim’s idea of specialist skills

Answer 2

2011 wolff report found that high quality aprentaships are rare and up to 1/3 of 16-19 year olds are on courses that dont lead to higher education or good jobs

Question 3

parsons view of role of education

Answer 3

meritocracy

• school is the ‘focal socialising agency’ acting a bridge between home and society
• prepares children to move from their ascribed family status to their achieved status in life thrugh the meritocratic education system

Question 4

criticism of parsons

Answer 4

'myth of meritocracy' 
marxists argue that meritocracy is used to legitimise class inequality of outcome by arguing that every child started off at the same point and achievement is down to work ethic when not all children start at the same point due to class differences. as the education system is made by the rulling class and for the rulling class working class kids fail to succeed but this is legitimised by the idea that school is purely 'meritocratic

Question 5

davis and moore role allocation

Answer 5

school performs the function of selecting and. allocating pupils to their future work roles

davis and moore argue that inequality is necessary to ensure that the most important roles in society are filled by the most talented people

for example it would be inaffective and dangerous to allow untalented people to be doctors or pilots

‘sifts and sorts children according to ability

Question 6

criticism of davis and moore

Answer 6

those with the best qualifications dont always go on to the highest paying jobs. many people with no higher education qualifications have highest paying jobs due to family connections and networking which is achieved through middle class social capital which is unattainable for many brights working class students