Similarities and Differences of Functionalist and Marxist Views on Education

Overall comparison

Criticisms of Both Marxist and Functionalist Perspectives                                                                                                                                                            - They both place too much emphasis on the role of education in forming students' identity, and they pay too little attention to the influence of other agencies of socialization, such as the family, media or work.                                                                                                                                         - They don't fully consider the way students react to schooling in ways that aren't necessarily 'functional' for the social system or capitalism. For example, pupils disrupt schools, play truant and don't learn and worker's earlier experience of schooling does not stop them from going on strike. (However, note the exception of Willis's work here.)                                                                                                                                                           - They both see too tight link between education and the economy, and exaggerate the extent to which schools provide a ready, willing and qualified labour force. The new emphasis on vocational education and pressure to drive up school standards are a direct response to employers who criticized schools for not providing a suitability disciplined and qualified labour force.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Sourced From: AQA Sociology Textbook Vol. 1 (Ken Browne)                                                                                                                                                      Thanks for Reading :) (ps. sorry if there are any mistakes)