Criticisms of the Functionalist Perspective on Education

While the functionalist perspective on education provides valuable insights, it has faced several criticisms from various sociological perspectives. These critiques challenge the assumptions and conclusions drawn by functionalist theorists about the role and effectiveness of education in society.

1. Inadequate Skill Development: Critics argue that the education system does not teach specialized skills as adequately as Durkheim claims. The Wolf review of vocational education (2011) found that high-quality apprenticeships are rare, and up to a third of 16-19 year-olds are on courses that do not lead to higher education or good jobs.

Example: Many vocational courses fail to provide students with the practical skills needed in the job market, leading to a skills gap between education and employment.

2. Circular Reasoning: Melvin Tumin (1953) criticizes Davis and Moore for presenting a circular argument regarding job importance and rewards.

Quote: "How do we know that a job is important? Answer: because it's highly rewarded. Why are some jobs more highly rewarded? Answer: because they are more important!"

This criticism highlights the logical fallacy in the functionalist explanation of social stratification through education.

3. Inequality in Educational Opportunities: Evidence suggests that equal opportunity in education does not exist, contradicting the meritocratic ideal proposed by functionalists. Achievement is often greatly influenced by class background rather than ability alone.

Highlight: Social class can significantly impact educational outcomes, challenging the notion of a purely meritocratic system.

4. Neoliberal and New Right Critiques: Neoliberals and the New Right argue that the state education system fails to adequately prepare young people for work, questioning the effectiveness of education in fulfilling its supposed functions.

5. Oversocialization: Dennis Wrong, an interactionist, argues that functionalists have an 'over-socialized view' of people as passive recipients of societal norms. This critique suggests that functionalists underestimate individuals' agency in accepting or rejecting school values.

6. Marxist Critique: Marxists argue that education in capitalist society transmits the ideology of a minority ruling class, rather than instilling shared values of society as a whole. This perspective challenges the functionalist view of education as a neutral institution serving the interests of the entire society.

Definition: Ideology, in this context, refers to the set of ideas and beliefs that reflect the interests of a particular group or class in society.

These criticisms highlight the limitations of the functionalist perspective on education PDF and encourage a more nuanced understanding of education's role in society, considering issues of inequality, power dynamics, and individual agency.

Durkheim's Functionalist Perspective on Education

Emile Durkheim, the founder of functionalist sociology, identified two main functions of education: social solidarity and specialist skills. His functionalist view on education emphasizes the role of schools in transmitting society's culture and preparing individuals for their roles in society.

Definition: Social solidarity refers to the sense of unity and shared values within a society.

Durkheim argues that education creates social solidarity by passing on shared beliefs and values from one generation to the next. For instance, teaching a country's history instills a sense of shared heritage and commitment to the wider social group.

Example: Learning about national heroes and historical events can foster a sense of national identity and pride among students.

Schools also act as a "society in miniature," preparing students for life in wider society. This concept illustrates how educational institutions mirror the structures and interactions found in the broader social world.

Highlight: In both school and work environments, individuals must cooperate with non-family members and follow impersonal rules applicable to everyone.

Regarding specialist skills, Durkheim contends that education equips individuals with the knowledge and abilities necessary to participate in the social division of labor.

Vocabulary: Social division of labor refers to the specialization of work tasks in society.