Functions Of Education Flashcards
EDUCATION AS AN AGENT OF SOCIALISATION
Functionalist - Durkheim
Education system transmits norms and values.
Creates social solidarity - the unity and shared values binding members in society
EDUCATION AS AN AGENT OF SOCIALISATION
Functionalist - Parsons
Education = agent of secondary socialisation
Teaches children the universalistic norms and values of society
Argues that schools are a bridge between family and wider society
EDUCATION AS AN AGENT OF SOCIALISATION
Neo- Marxist - Althusser
Education is part of the Ideological State Apparatus
Serves the needs of capitalism by passing on ruling class norms and values, legitimising capitalism by making it seem natural and it then remains unquestioned
EDUCATION AS AN AGENT OF SOCIALISATION
Marxists - Bowles and Gintis
Ruling class ideology is passed on through the hidden curriculum
Eg. Being taught to obey authority, wearing school uniform, adhering to a timetable etc.
PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE WORKPLACE
Functionalist - Durkheim
Schools teach children specialist skills needed for the complex division of labour within modern industrialised societies
PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE WORKPLACE
Functionalists - Davis and Moore
Role allocation = assigning of positions in society based on an individual’s talents and qualifications
Children go through a process of “sifting and sorting” at schools - they are evaluated and categorised based on their skills, leading to role assignments
PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE WORKPLACE
Marxists - Bowles and Gintis
Correspondence Theory - the relationships you form at school will match those made in the workplace
Schools motivate students through external rewards such as qualifications
PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE WORKPLACE
Marxist - Willis
WC children are channelled into WC jobs through formation of anti school subcultures
Criticism of education system - fails to engage WC students and perpetuating social inequalities
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION - POLICY
The New Right
Conservative governments between 1979 and 1997 introduced policies to expand vocational education.
This was a reaction by the Thatcher government to the ‘failings of education to effectively prepare young people for work’ - which raised youth unemployment
New Vocationalism
The tier used to describe the new vocational training initiatives introduced from 1970, aimed at young unemployed people.
Part of this was the Youth Training Scheme (YTS); a training scheme for school leavers, which combined work experience and education
NVQs (1986)
Qualifications for specific occupations
Modern Apprenticeships (1995)
Courses designed to combine training at work, with part-time attendance at college
EVALUATING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Dan Finn
Argues that Youth Training Schemes have a hidden agenda
Real purpose = to restrict number of workers joining trade unions and power of the workforce
Government gave employers money to train people as part of YTS - Finn argues that this led to young people being used as cheap labour
Young people on YTS were not included in unemployment statistics - making it seem that the government were increasing employment rates
Government hoped that it would help reduce crime and social unrest as it takes up young people’s free time
EDUCATION AS A MEANS OF SOCIAL CONTROL/ORDER
Functionalist - Durkheim
Schools act as a mini society - teach young people the importance of living and working together, recognising the importance of interdependence (organic analogy).
Strict discipline in schools = important - young people need to learn how to act in interests of society. School rules (eg uniform) reinforce social solidarity.
EDUCATION AS A MEANS OF SOCIAL CONTROL/ORDER
Neo-Marxist - Althusser
Children are taught to obey the rules of the school and authority of their teachers - this will be what is expected of them in the workforce.
Rules around things such as uniform will teach children to not be rebellious, teaching conformity.
This reinforces false class consciousness - meaning capitalism is never threatened.
