Functionalism and education Flashcards
What did Durkheim say about education?
Individual members of society made to feel a sense of social solidarity or belonging. The education system creates this through transmitting society shared culture e.g. learning beliefs and values. School is also a society where we learn to live and work together we learn the impersonal roles which govern our behaviour. Furthermore education teaches us the complex specialist skills we need so we can play our part in our complicated labour market. The division of labour through education is imperative he stated not everyone can be doctors or solicitors cleaners and factory workers are also important despite less financial reward. 
What does Talcott Parsons say about education?
School acts as a bridge between family and wider society where children can learn their universalistic and impersonal standards that apply to everyone in the family the child’s role is ascribed e.g. youngest daughter. School and society status is achieved by how hard you work school and society on Rotic and we achieve according to our own individual efforts.
What did Davis and Moore say about education?
School selects and allocate students to their future work roles. They Match their skills and aptitudes to choose jobs they are most suited to. Inequality is needed to allocate people to the most appropriate role e.g. brain surgeon. The most able gain highest qualifications and most important jobs.
What is meritocracy?
Meritocracy is a society in which everyone has an equal chance of success based on their talent and efforts
Is the education system in the Uk meritocratic?
Specialist skills are not taught e.g. Wolf report on vocational education. 350,000 students were not benefiting from post 16 education system. low social classes and ethnic minority groups do not achieve as well as privileged classes. Dennis wrong (interactionalist) argues that students are not just passive puppets they sometimes reject the schools values and norms.
