Functionalists view of Education LT8 Flashcards
what is functionalist view on education?
They look for the postive benefits wnd functions that education performs for society
what are the 4 things functionalists believe education provide?
- Pass on society’s culture
- provides a bridge between family and society
- Role allocation
- Provided trained labour force
what does education do?
passes in core values and culture of a society to new generations
Durkheim (1925) - education
education = secondary socialisation which transmits norms & values creating a sense of belonging creating social solidarity
What does Durkheim believe schools are?
Society in miniature - hidden curriculum teaches individuals how to interact and follow sets of rules
What does school socialise pupils into?
socially agreed norms and values
Parson (1961)
education takes over from the family as the child grows older
What does Parson believe education does?
ensure children move from particularistic standards in the home to the universalistic standards of society providing a bridge
what means do education provide?
for improving your life and life chances through upward social mobility through principle of meritocracy
Davis and Moore (1945) - role allocation
education is a way of selecting people for different job markets, through sifts and sorts people according to ability
What does Davis and Moore believe about education?
that there is equal opportunity, and everyone who has the ability and talent and puts in effort has an equal chance (meritocratic)
Schultz (1971) - Labour force
School provides a properly trained, qualified and flexible workforce important for a successful economy
Criticism of the functionalists views
- too readily presume consensus
- Marxists - n&v are ruling class ideologies
- questionable weather selection is meritocratic (SC)
- New right - education fails to prepare
Hargreaves
education promotes competition and individualism rather than shared values
