Role of Education Flashcards
(10 cards)
What does Durkheim (1903) say?
(Hint: why we need school for society)
School teaches shared norms and values (social solidarity)
Teaches specialist skills needed for work
→ Helps integrate individuals and prepare them for their future roles
Eval: Marxists like Althusser argue this hides inequality – values benefit capitalism, not everyone.
What does Parsons (1961) say?
(Hint: moving from home to the real world)
School is a bridge between home and wider society
Based on meritocracy – judged equally on ability
→ Encourages achievement and competition
Eval: Bowles & Gintis reject this – say meritocracy is a myth; school reinforces class privilege.
What do Davis & Moore (1945) say?
(Hint: education and jobs)
Education sorts people into roles based on ability
Inequality is necessary – best jobs go to most able
→ Justifies role allocation
Eval: Tumin criticises this as circular logic – how do we define talent if the system is biased?
What does Althusser (1971) say?
(Hint: school as control)
Education is an Ideological State Apparatus (ISA)
Reproduces inequality, trains obedient workers
→ Maintains capitalist dominance
Eval: Willis supports this but adds students aren’t brainwashed – some resist schooling.
What does Willis (1977) say?
(Hint: lads who rebel)
WC boys resist school but still end up in WC jobs
→ Resistance doesn’t break the system – it sustains it
Eval: Small sample of 12 boys – not representative. Mac an Ghaill found more variety in responses.
What do Bowles & Gintis (1976) say?
(Hint: school and work are the same)
School reflects the workplace (correspondence principle)
Hidden curriculum teaches passive behaviour
→ Reinforces capitalist work discipline
Eval: Too deterministic – ignores student agency, unlike Willis’ ‘lads’ study.
What do Chubb & Moe (1990) say?
(Hint: market solves failure)
State schools fail disadvantaged pupils
Marketisation (school choice) improves standards
→ Vouchers give parents power
Eval: Ball argues marketisation increases inequality – MC parents benefit more from choice.
What does the New Right say?
(Hint: how schools should work)
Schools should promote national identity and values
Competition raises performance
→ Less state control, more accountability
Eval: Marxists say this still benefits the elite – ignores structural inequality and class barriers.
What do Feminists say about education?
(Hint: hidden inequality)
School reinforces patriarchy via curriculum and roles
Girls limited by subject choice and lack of female leadership
→ System is still unequal despite girls’ achievement
Eval: Weiner (1995) found sexist images removed and positive female role models improving equality.
What do Postmodernists say about education?
(Hint: no single purpose anymore)
Education is now diverse and personalised
Reflects the needs of a fragmented, global society
→ More choice and flexibility
Eval: Marxists argue this ignores ongoing inequality – choice benefits MC, not all.
