the role and function of education (theories)

Question 1

what do functionalists say are the functions of education and what are the sociologists?

Answer 1

DURKHEIM:
1. creating social solidarity
2. teaching specialist skills

PARSONS:
- the education system is meritocratic meaning that it helps you move from ascribed status to achieved status
- within the family children are judged by particularistic standards whilst in school they are judged by universalistic standards (similar to society)

DAVIS AND MOORE:
- education system helps with role allocation that “sieves and sorts”
- inequality is a universal neccesity as it provides ambition

BLAU AND DUNCAN:
- the modern economy depends on humans for it to be prosperous so must make use of the most talented and take advantage of role allocation

Question 2

what do the new right say are the functions of education and what are the sociologists?

Answer 2

the new right favour the free market and marketisation of education

CHUBB AND MOE (consumer choice):
- argue that america’s state schools have failed disabled groups, not equipping students with what they need for work , so should be replaced by a “free market”

Question 3

what does marxism say about education and what are the sociologists?

Answer 3

ALTHUSSER:
- education is a part of the ideological state apparatus as it:
1. reproduces class inequality
2. legitimises class inequality
3. teachers skills future capitalist employers

BOWLES AND GINTIS:
- they did a study on 237 new york high school students who argued that school reward obedience rather than creativity as obedience was preparing students for the workplace
- school mirrors the workplace (correspondence principle)
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Question 4

what does postmodernism say about education and what are the sociologists?

Answer 4

• they believe that the education system is becoming customised to meet the needs of all students
• for example, there is a greater choice of schools and vocational education
• the education is post fordist so is now post fordist because of things such as technology and media

USHER AND THOMPSON:
- education is diverse, flexible and customisable