AQA AS Sociology: Unit 2 Education with Research Methods - Functionalist Perspectives

Introduction to the education system
1. In the UK free compulsory state education started in 1870
  1. Although since 1833 the state made some contribution to funding education
    1. In 1880 state education was made compulsory up to age 10
    2. By 1918 children had to stay at school until age 14, and in the 1972 it was raised to 16
    3. By 2005 more than 75% of all 16-18 year olds were taking part in some form of education and training
      1. In 2007 it was announced that education and training would be made compulsory until the age of 18
    4. Higher education also expanded
      1. 40% of school leavers now go on to study at this level
The functionalist perspective
1. View society as an interrelated whole
2. View that every institution in society performs one or more functions or jobs
  1. Assume that this helps society to run smoothly
3. Look for the positives benefits and functions that education performs for all societies
Durkheim - education and social solidarity
1. Emile Durkheim (1952) saw the main role of education as the transmission of norms and values of society
  1. Education helps to unite all individuals within society, creating a sense of belonging and commitment
    1. Durkheim referred to this as social solidarity, teaching individuals about their society develops a sense of commitment to that society
2. Saw schools as 'miniature societies'
  1. Where people learn to interact with others and follow a fixed set of rules
    1. Provides preparation for later life where individuals have to get on and follow rules/laws in society
3. Durkheim also believed education helps to teach specific skills necessary in an industrial society
  1. With specialist jobs (an advanced division of labour), which could not be taught by parents, who lack specialist knowledge
Key study = Parsons: universalistic values
1. Talcott Parsons (1961) believed education has three main functions
  1. It is a bridge between the family and wider society
  2. It socialises children into basic values in society
    1. Socialises them into major values in society, the belief in individual achievement and in the value of equality of opportunity
      1. The exam system encourages these values because it judges people fairly and it motivates them
  3. It selects people for their future roles in society
    1. Assesses students abilities so they can be matched to suitable jobs, so they can contribute to society
2. Before attending school, children are socialised within the family where particularistic standards are used
  1. Where children are treated as particular individuals
  2. However in society as a whole universalistic standards are usually used
    1. Where people are judged according to standards that apply to everybody
3. In families status is fixed by birth, this is ascribed status
  1. However in society, status is based on merit, competition then occurs and status is achieved
4. Parsons believed that education makes the transition from family to society as a whole by getting people used to unversalistic values and achieved status
Davis and Moore (1945) - education and role allocation
1. Viewed education as a means of role allocation
  1. It shifts and sorts people according to their abilities
    1. So the most able gain high qualifications and can progress to doing the most functionally important jobs
      1. Important jobs are more highly rewarded, causing motivation of the talented to work hard to achieve these positions
  2. Education helps to ensure that competent people fulfill the important roles in society and more motivated to work hard
2. Saw education as meritocratic, where people are judged according to their ability and effort, not their social class
Criticisms of functionalism
1. Marxists would argue that education benefits the ruling class
  1. See education as promoting the values of powerful groups
    1. Hargreaves (1982) believes education promotes competition and individualism, not shared values
2. Feminists would argue that education benefits men
3. Education can be divisive because of a hierarchy of schools and universities, can separate social classes
4. Not meritocratic, research shows that class, gender and ethnicity influence achievement
5. Not only education influences labour market, other factors such as contacts can influence

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AQA AS Sociology: Unit 2 Education with Research Methods - Functionalist Perspectives

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