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Exploring the Functionalist View on Education: Roles and Examples for Kids

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Amy

11/20/2022

Sociology

role of education - functionalism

Exploring the Functionalist View on Education: Roles and Examples for Kids

The Functionalist perspective on education PDF explores key sociological theories about education's role in society, primarily focusing on views from Durkheim, Parsons, and Davis & Moore. These theorists examine how education contributes to social solidarity, skill development, and role allocation in society.

• Durkheim emphasizes education's role in creating social solidarity and transmitting specialist skills
• Parsons views schools as bridges between family and society, introducing universalistic standards
• Davis & Moore focus on education's role in selecting individuals for future work roles
• Critics argue these perspectives oversimplify education's complex nature and ignore inequality
• Alternative viewpoints from Marxists and Interactionists challenge functionalist assumptions

...

11/20/2022

1068

Durkheim's view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

View

Parsons' Functionalist Theory of Education

Talcott Parsons, another prominent functionalist, views the school as the 'focal socializing agency' in modern society. His functionalist perspective on education emphasizes the school's role as a bridge between family and wider society.

Quote: "School acts as a bridge between the family and wider society."

Parsons argues that this bridge is necessary because family and society operate on different principles. Children need to learn a new way of living to cope with the wider world.

Within the family:

  • Children are judged by particularistic standards rulesspecifictothatchildrules specific to that child
  • A child's status is fixed at birth e.g.,differentrights/dutiesbasedonageandgendere.g., different rights/duties based on age and gender

In school and wider society:

  • Everyone is judged by the same universalistic and impersonal standards
  • Each pupil is evaluated against the same criteria e.g.,standardizedexamse.g., standardized exams
  • A person's status is largely achieved e.g.,promotionduetoworkperformancee.g., promotion due to work performance

Definition: Meritocracy is a system where advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.

Parsons sees school as preparing students for the transition from family to wider society because both school and society are based on meritocratic principles. This functionalist perspective on education roles highlights the importance of schools in socializing individuals for their future roles in society.

Durkheim's view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

View

Davis & Moore's Functionalist View on Education

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, in their functionalist perspective on education, focus on the relationship between education and social inequality. They argue that schools perform the crucial function of selecting and allocating pupils to their future work roles.

Vocabulary: Role allocation refers to the process of assigning individuals to specific positions or roles in society.

Davis and Moore contend that inequality is necessary to ensure that the most important roles in society are filled by the most talented individuals. Their view suggests that:

  1. Not everyone is equally talented, so society must offer higher rewards for important jobs.
  2. This encourages competition, allowing society to select the most talented individuals for these positions.

Highlight: Education acts as a proving ground for ability, where individuals demonstrate their capabilities.

In this functionalist theory of education example, schools are seen as institutions that 'sift and sort' students according to their abilities. The most capable individuals gain the highest qualifications, which gives them entry to the most important and highly rewarded positions in society.

Example: A student who excels in science subjects might be encouraged to pursue a career in medicine or engineering, which are considered high-status professions.

This perspective aligns with the concept of role allocation Davis and Moore proposed, emphasizing education's role in preparing individuals for their future societal positions based on merit and ability.

Durkheim's view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

View

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 20112011 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.

  1. Circular Reasoning: Melvin Tumin 19531953 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

View

Page 5: Alternative Theoretical Perspectives

The final section presents contrasting viewpoints from interactionist and Marxist perspectives, challenging functionalist assumptions about education.

Quote: Wrong argues that functionalists have an "over-socialised view of people as mere puppets of society."

Highlight: Marxists challenge the idea that education transmits shared societal values.

Definition: Ideology refers to a system of ideas and ideals, particularly those which form the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Example: Marxists argue that education primarily serves ruling class interests rather than society as a whole.

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Sociology

1,068

Nov 20, 2022

5 pages

Exploring the Functionalist View on Education: Roles and Examples for Kids

A

Amy

@amy.110

The Functionalist perspective on education PDFexplores key sociological theories about education's role in society, primarily focusing on views from Durkheim, Parsons, and Davis & Moore. These theorists examine how education contributes to social solidarity, skill development, and role allocation... Show more

Durkheim's view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

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Parsons' Functionalist Theory of Education

Talcott Parsons, another prominent functionalist, views the school as the 'focal socializing agency' in modern society. His functionalist perspective on education emphasizes the school's role as a bridge between family and wider society.

Quote: "School acts as a bridge between the family and wider society."

Parsons argues that this bridge is necessary because family and society operate on different principles. Children need to learn a new way of living to cope with the wider world.

Within the family:

  • Children are judged by particularistic standards rulesspecifictothatchildrules specific to that child
  • A child's status is fixed at birth e.g.,differentrights/dutiesbasedonageandgendere.g., different rights/duties based on age and gender

In school and wider society:

  • Everyone is judged by the same universalistic and impersonal standards
  • Each pupil is evaluated against the same criteria e.g.,standardizedexamse.g., standardized exams
  • A person's status is largely achieved e.g.,promotionduetoworkperformancee.g., promotion due to work performance

Definition: Meritocracy is a system where advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.

Parsons sees school as preparing students for the transition from family to wider society because both school and society are based on meritocratic principles. This functionalist perspective on education roles highlights the importance of schools in socializing individuals for their future roles in society.

Durkheim's view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Davis & Moore's Functionalist View on Education

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, in their functionalist perspective on education, focus on the relationship between education and social inequality. They argue that schools perform the crucial function of selecting and allocating pupils to their future work roles.

Vocabulary: Role allocation refers to the process of assigning individuals to specific positions or roles in society.

Davis and Moore contend that inequality is necessary to ensure that the most important roles in society are filled by the most talented individuals. Their view suggests that:

  1. Not everyone is equally talented, so society must offer higher rewards for important jobs.
  2. This encourages competition, allowing society to select the most talented individuals for these positions.

Highlight: Education acts as a proving ground for ability, where individuals demonstrate their capabilities.

In this functionalist theory of education example, schools are seen as institutions that 'sift and sort' students according to their abilities. The most capable individuals gain the highest qualifications, which gives them entry to the most important and highly rewarded positions in society.

Example: A student who excels in science subjects might be encouraged to pursue a career in medicine or engineering, which are considered high-status professions.

This perspective aligns with the concept of role allocation Davis and Moore proposed, emphasizing education's role in preparing individuals for their future societal positions based on merit and ability.

Durkheim's view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

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 20112011 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.

  1. Circular Reasoning: Melvin Tumin 19531953 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

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Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

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Page 5: Alternative Theoretical Perspectives

The final section presents contrasting viewpoints from interactionist and Marxist perspectives, challenging functionalist assumptions about education.

Quote: Wrong argues that functionalists have an "over-socialised view of people as mere puppets of society."

Highlight: Marxists challenge the idea that education transmits shared societal values.

Definition: Ideology refers to a system of ideas and ideals, particularly those which form the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Example: Marxists argue that education primarily serves ruling class interests rather than society as a whole.

Durkheim's view on education:
The french sociologist Emile Durkheim (1903), the
founder of functionalist sociology, identified two
main func

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

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.

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Paul T

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

iOS user

Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades

Brad T

Android user

Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend

Aubrey

iOS user

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Marco B

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

iOS user