The Role of Education - Functionalist

Question 1

What are the functions of education according to functionalist?

Answer 1

Socialisation
Co-operation
Qualifications
Develops independence
Teaches norms and values
Develops routine

Question 2

What are the general functionalist views of education?

Answer 2

• Focus on the positive contributions made y education system.
• Promotes value consensus
• Transmits society’s norms+values

Question 3

What is the purpose of education?

Answer 3

• Teaches skills needed for work and also by economy.
• Secondary socialisation- passing core values

Question 4

What is Emilie Durkheim view of the role of education?

Answer 4

• “Society can only survive if there exists among its members a sufficient degree of homogeneity” - the same
  -Compared schools to a miniature society
  learning to interact with others/ follow rules/ prepare them to become adults/accept social rules
  -social solidarity +value consensus

Question 5

What are the weakness of Durkheim’s theory.

Answer 5

> assumes norms and values transmitted by E system are those of society as a whole, rather than of ruling class
hargreaves- E system instead encourages individualism+competition
not social solidarity
society is now diverse +there is not one set of norms + values transmitted by schools.
skl doesn’t provide adequate skills for work place- most jobs require further training