The Functionalist Perspective on Education

Question 1

Social Solidarity (Durkheim)

Answer 1

Societies need to feel united as cooperation will be impossible without it. Schools transmit the value consensus e.g British values, which gives people a sense of social identity therefore creating social solidarity.

Question 2

Specialist Skills (Durkheim)

Answer 2

Education teaches specialist skills that parents cannot teach. Some necessary for specific jobs (Human Capital, Schultz). Produces a skilled, qualified labour force.

Question 3

The social bridge (Parsons)

Answer 3

The bridge between ‘family life’ and the ‘real world’ - education system teaches how to make this change and function as a member of society.

Universalistic - The rules are the same for everyone. (Achieved Status).
Particularistic - The rules change depending on the specific person. (Ascribed Status).

Question 4

Role Allocation (Davis and Moore)

Answer 4

‘sifting and sorting’ workers into the correct jobs, best jobs given to the people who achieve the best results in school.

High salaries for the more important jobs which encourage people to compete.

Meritocracy, depends on your skills/hard work so everyone has equal opportunities.

Question 5

Evaluation of the Functionalist Perspective on Education:

Answer 5

New Right would disagree as the education system fails to prepare young people for work, lack of focus on vocational education.

Marxists believe that education only passes on the beliefs of the ruling classes.