Functionalism: Role of education

Question 1

What are the three functions that help society?

Answer 1

Secondary socialization - passing on core values
Sifts and sorts people into the appropriate jobs
Teaches the skills needed in work

Question 2

Durkheim

Answer 2

Social solidarity
Society in miniature
Specialized division of labour
Education passes on the norms and values in order to integrate individuals into society
Teaching of subjects like history and English give us a shared identity

Question 3

Parsons

Answer 3

Bridge between the family and society
Particularistic - Universalistic values
Education selects people into appropriate rolls because the system is meritocratic

Question 4

Davis and Moore

Answer 4

Role allocation - education allocates the most appropriate jobs for the individual based on exams
Seemed to be fair due to equality of opportunity
Sifting and sorting - social hierarchy

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

Ignores aspects of education that are dysfunctional - bullying
Myth of meritocracy - private education (Marxist)
Hidden curriculum - reinforces social inequality and maintains ruling class ideology (Marxist)
Passive puppets - wrong