Role of education - Functionalist

Question 1

Durkheim: Social solidarity

Answer 1

Durkheim argues that society needs a sense of solidarity, individual members must feel themselves to be part of a single body or community.
- Without social solidarity social life and cooperation would be impossible because everyone would pursue their own selfish desires.
- Education system helps create social solidarity by transmitting shared beliefs and values.
- School also acts as a ‘society in miniature’ preparing us for life in wider society.

Question 2

Durkheim - specialist skills

Answer 2

To be successful, each person must have the necessary skills to preform their roles.
Education teaches individual’s the skills they need to play their part in in the social division of labour.

Question 3

Parsons: Meritocracy

Answer 3

Parsons sees the school as the ‘focal socialising agency’
- Acting as a bridge between family and wider society.
-Bridge is needed because family and society operate on different levels.
- Moving away from family to wider society.
- Meritocracy - everyone is given equal opportunities and use their own efforts to succeed.

Question 4

Davis and Moore: Role allocation

Answer 4

School performs the functions of selecting and allocating pupils to their future work roles.
See education as a device for selection and role allocation.