The Role of Education

Question 1

Functionalism (Durkheim)

Answer 1

The education system helps to create SOCIAL SOLIDARITY by transmitting society’s culture from one generation to the next. Schools also act as a ‘society in miniature’ preparing us for life in wider society. (SOCIALISATION)

Question 2

Functionalism (Parsons)

Answer 2

Parsons argues that schools are meritocratic. This is the belief that all pupils have an equal chance to succeed through talent and abilities, irrespective of class, gender, ethnicity etc.

Parsons also sees the school as an agent of socialisation, acting as a bridge between the family and wider society.

Question 3

Functionalism (Davis & Moore)

Answer 3

Role Allocation: by assessing individuals abilities, schools help to match them to the job they are best suited to.

Question 4

Marxism (Althusser)

Answer 4

Ideological State Apparatus (ISA):
- Reproduction - the education system reproduces class inequality by failing each generation of working-class pupils
- Legitimation - the education system tries to convince people that inequality is inevitable and failure is the fault of the individual, not the capitalist system

Question 5

Marxism (Bowles & Gintis)

Answer 5

Reproduce Workforce
Hidden curriculum in schools - used to serve the capitalist system (Eg. pupils accept hierarchy)
Myth of Meritocracy: success is based on class, not ability or educational achievement.

Question 6

Marxism (Willis - Neo-marxism)

Answer 6

Pupils can see through the ruling class ideology and resist attempts to indoctrinate it in school. Male working class pupils formed a distinct counterculture that flouted school rules.

Question 7

Feminism (Liberal)

Answer 7

There has been a steady improvement in girls experience of school and girls achievement.

Question 8

Feminism (Radical)

Answer 8

Education maintains Gender Roles

Gendered Language - school teachers and textbooks use gendered language

Gendered roles - textbooks present traditional gendered roles (for example, women as housewives)

Gendered stereotypes - textbooks and teachers tend to stereotypes males and females (for example, girls are presented as more caring)

Question 9

The New Right (Chubb & Moe)

Answer 9

State education fails to create equal opportunity because it does not have to respond to pupil’s needs.

Parents and communities cannot do anything about failing schools when the schools are controlled by the state.

Private schools deliver higher quality education because they are answerable to paying consumers (parents).