Role of education

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What is the functionalist perspective on society?
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What is the functionalist perspective on society?
Based on view that society is a system of independent parts held together by shared culture/value consensus
Functionalism:
What does Durkheim say about education
-Transmits British norms + values o integrate/regulate individuals into society. Believes education system creates social solidarity and specialist skills.
Functionalism: (Durkheim)
How does education system create...
1. social solidarity
2. Specialist skills
1. Transmits society's culture + acts as a mini society to prepare for wider one by creating a collective consensus where all follow same rules and what's right/wrong. Binds us despite difference since same rules apply to everyone.
2. Teaches individuals special knowledge/skills needed to pay part in social division of labour.
Functionalism:
Evaluation for Durkheim
Education doesn't specialised skills adequately e.g the world review claims high quality apprenticeships are rare.
Functionalism:
How does Parsons describe school?
As focal socialisation agency acting as the bridge between family and adult roles in wider society since both school and society based on meritocratic principles.:
-In family child judged by particularistic (individual) standards and status ascribed. But in school + wider society status=achieved and judged by same universalistic/impersonal standards.
Functionalism:
What does Parsons mean by meritocracy? + example
Social rewards allocated by talent/effort rather than being ascribed it. E.g Sadiq Khan going through Social mobility from growing up in a council flat to Mayor of London.
Functionalism:
Evaluation of Parsons view
Adequate evidence for equal opportunity doesn't exist e.g. achievement influenced by social class rather than ability.
Functionalism:
What function do Davis + Moore argue education performs?
-Selecting + allocating pupils to future work roles by matching attitudes/abilities to job their best suited to.
-Society must distribute members into different positions meaning there should be system of unequal rewards to motivate training for top positions e.g. streaming
-inequality=fair: if have talent + put in effort you get rewarded e.g. doing well on exams everyone gets leads to qualifications and position in stratification system.
Functionalism: (Davis and Moore)
Define human capital + how supported it?
Blau + Duncan: modern economy depends on its workers skills, so meritocratic education does this best. Since enables each person to be allocated jobs best suited, maximising productivity.
Functionalism:
Evaluation of Davis and Moore
Turin criticises time for having a circular argument:
How do we know if a jobs important? Because it's highly rewarded
Why are some jobs highly rewarded? Because they are important
Evaluation of the functionalist perspective as a whole-Marxists argue education in capitalist society transmits ruling class ideology and not shared values in society. -interactionists argue functionalism is an over socialised view of people as puppets and that pupils possibly accept all they're taught + never reject school values.New right perspective: What is neoliberalism and what does it believe about economy?An economic doctrine with influence on education policy.. -Argues state shouldn't provide education, health, welfare and we should not try to regulate free market economy. -encourages completion + privatise state run businessNew right perspective: Neoliberals view on education?Value of education= how well it enables country to compete in global marketplace. Achieved by schools becoming more like businesses = empowers parents/pupils as consumers + using competition to drive up standards.New right perspective: What is it?Conservative political view with belief state can't meet needs so should be left to meet own needs through free market.New right perspective: Similarities between new right and functionalism-believe some more naturally talented than others. -favour education system run on meritocratic principles to open competition, to serve economy by preparing pupils for work. -Education should socialise pupils into shared values