Functionalism-Perspective on Education

Question 1

Functionalist view of education

Answer 1

Functionalists take a consensus view -see education as performing three important functions:

• socialisation into the shared culture
• equipping individuals with specialist work skills
• selection for works

Question 2

Durkheim

Answer 2

Identified two main functions of education:
-creating social solidarity & - teaching specialist skills
Society needs sense of solidarity and feel a part of community -> education acts as ‘society in miniature’- allowing cooperation (1)
Labour requires cooperation of different specialists -> education teaches individuals specialist knowledge and skills needed for labour role (2)

Question 3

Parsons: Meritocracy

Answer 3

• Sees the school as ‘socialising agency’ -> link between family and wider society -> link needed as both aspects operate differently -> helps cope.
• Family (fixed given status), School and wider society (persons status is largely achieved) - Parsons ->School and society based on meritocratic principles (equal opportunity = fair results)

Question 4

Davis & Moore: Role allocation

Answer 4

• Schools select and allocate pupils to their future work roles through abilities and suitability.
• (S) Inequality is necessary to ensure ‘important roles’ allocated to ‘most talented people’ and not allocated to ‘less able’ -> could be dangerous & inefficient.
• Education sorts based on ability ->best gain the important and rewarding positions-> worst gain devalued jobs.

Question 5

Criticisms of functionalist view

Answer 5

• Evidence suggest equal opportunity in education does not exist -> achievement influenced by class/ethnicity/gender background.
• Functionalists claim education transfers ALL values of society -> Marxists claim education transfers ONLY values of ruling class
• New Right & Liberals claim education FAILS to prepare youth for work.