Topic 1 Role of education Flashcards
(44 cards)
What do functionalists believe is the role of education
- they argue education allows children to build skills to get a job and help society
- they believe education is important because it allows everyone to be educated so they can help society together
What do marxists believe the role of education is?
- marxists believe children are told to accept hierarchy and are taught inequality is inevitable
- education helps feed capitalism as they socialise new workers and teaches them to obey authority
- education stops a revolution
What does Durkheim say about education?
(Functionalist)
- the education system helps to create social solidarity by transmitting society’s culture from one generation to the next. Durkheim uses the examples of teaching a country’s history to instil a sense of shared heritage, so we know where we came from.
- argues that school is something of a ‘society in miniature’ preparing us for wider society later on.
- education performs 2 key functions:
- Social Solidarity
- Specialist Skills
Give 2 criticisms of Durkheim’s view of the role of education?
- Marxists argue that education upholds capitalism by allowing the bourgeoise to succeed and keep the workers properly educated and in well paid jobs
- Schools teach the values of a specific religion rather than the values of society as a whole
What does Parsons say about the role of education?
- sees education as a ‘focal socialisation agency’ which acts as a bridge between the family and wider society.
- It acts as a bridge between family and wider society.
- both school and society are meritocratic
define meritocratic
everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and rewards are based upon talent and ability.
What are particularistic standards?
standards/ rules that are specific within a family
eg chores, times, electronics
children are judged by these stamdards
What are universalistic standards?
Standards/ rules that take place in education.
eg attendance, punctuality, behaviour, exams, uniform
How can Parsons be criticised by marxists?
- Marxists argue meritocracy is a myth, some people have more economic and cultural capital to take advantage of the economic system.
Do marxists believe in meritocracy?
No
Social backgrounds result in students being treated differently. Lower social classes and ethnic minorities may achieve poorer results due to lower expectations rather than lower ability. Some schools only teach the values of their faith.
Define capital
having an advantage or power
define economic capital
having an advantage of more money and power
define cultural capital
having an advantage in knowledge, tastes and attitudes
What do Davis and Moore say about the role of education?
(Functionalists)
- Davis and Moore argue that schools perform the function of selecting and allocating pupils to their future work roles (role allocation).
- They argue inequality is needed for society to function effectively.
- Not everyone is equally talented, we need the most able performing roles such as surgeon or pilot.
How is the functionalist view of the role of education useful?
- it examines the important role education plays in preparing people for work.
- it focuses on how those who work hard are rewarded with the best grades and how education works on meritocratic principles.
- it highlights how inequality is needed to ensure all jobs are filled in society.
- it identifies how education socialises people in to a collective identity.
How can the functionalist view of the role of education be criticised?
- An equal opportunity of education doesn’t exist as achievement is influenced by class background rather than ability
- School does not teach specialist skills adequately - it doesn’t prepare for work correctly
How can the functionalist view of the role of education be criticised by marxists?
- Marxists would argue schools only instil the values of the ruling class - not society as a whole
How can the functionalist view of the role of education be criticised by feminists?
Feminists would argue that school reinforces a patriarchal ideology through the use of double standards and the male gaze.
How can the functionalist view of the role of education be criticised by post-modernists?
- functionalism is outdated
- cannot be used to explain the diverse society we have entered
What is Neo liberalism?
Neo liberalism is an economic doctrine that has had major influence on economic policy.
What do neo-liberalists argue about state intervention for education?
- Neoliberals argue that the state should not provide services such as education, health and welfare.
- They have a laissez-faire attitude and have influenced all governments since 1979.
- They argue governments should encourage competition and privatise state run services.
What do the new right believe about the role of education?
- they favour the marketisation of education
- the government should have minimal involvement
- school is meritocratic
- schools socialise children into a shared history and culture
Why do the new right favour marketisation of education?
- encourages competition for funding and pupils
- it will raise standards in education
Why do Chubb and Moore argue that the US state run education has failed?
- it has not created equal opportunities and failed the needs of disadvantaged groups
- it is inefficient because it fails to produce pupils with the skills needed for the economy
- private schools deliver high quality education because unlike state schools, they are answerable to paying consumers
