Functionalist view of education

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  • Functionalist view of education
    • Durkheim
      • Education provides three functions
        • Teaches society norms and values
          • Encourages you to be polite. E.g. don't talk over people, shake hands when you meet someone.
            • These norms and values can be negatively reinforced by detention if students choose to rebel against them
        • Encourages a sense of social solidarity (part of something bigger)
          • Example being taught history and leaning about your shared heritage
          • In the USA at the start of every school day they sing their national anthem
        • Education teaches cooperation
          • Example being encouraged to do group projects
          • Being encouraged to contribute to class discussions
    • Parsons
      • Education provides five functions
        • Acts as a bridge between the home and the workplace
        • Provides secondary socialisation
          • Socialisation outside of the home
        • Education is a meritocracy (everyone is treated equally)
          • Example all students are taught the same material and all have the same opportunities
        • Teaches a value consensus
          • Where people agree on a set of shared norms and values such as hard work will help you achieve good results
        • Education acts as a sieve for the workplace
          • Good students will be rewarded with good grades which will result inn a good job
    • Blau and Duncan
      • For any modern economy to thrive it needs its workers skills which a meritocratic education system does best
    • Critiques
      • Marxist
        • The education system teaches ruling class and bourgeoisie norms and values not societies
        • The skills and knowledge taught in schools is irrelevant to the work place
      • Ignores social inequality
      • Assumes education system is fair for everyone
      • Functionalists have a rose tinted view on education

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