Functionalism Education Flashcards
Durkheim
The education system helps to create social solidarity by transmitting society’s culture. Teaching a country’s heritage instills a shared sense of identity and heritage
School acts as society and prepares students for their life in wider society
Education teaches individuals the specialist knowledge and skills that they need to play their part in society and perform certain roles
Parsons
The education system provides a bridge between the family and the rest of society and teaches children important values
The family is based on particularistic values but school is based on universalistic values
Education is a meritocracy, everyone is given an equal chance and opportunity to succeed, individuals achieve rewards through their own efforts.
Davis and Moore
The education system is a device for selection and role allocation
Inequality is necessary to ensure the most important roles in society are filled by the most talented people- role allocation
Education acts a proving ground where people can show their ability so that they are then allocated a role in society which is best suited to them
Blau and Duncan
The modern economy needs to use its human capital- its workers skills- if it is to be successful and profitable
A meritocratic education system does this best, since it enables each person to be allocated a job that best suits their ability
