Functionalist Theory Of Education Essay

Improved Essays
One of the important things to establish is that functional is essentially a consensus theory. This means that it advocates social academies in order to promote education and therefore, harmony to the society. In Item A, it makes certain functionalists views which may differ but makes them positively reflected. However, there are certain arguments such as Marxists and the New Right argument which could negate the points made through Functionalism and Item A.
Firstly, one of the most important views is that of Emile Durkheim, who argues that everything is in social order due to society’s needs. He states that in order for society to sustain, it requires to adopt the culture of the society, in this case he means that through education the society’s young learn the culture and how to behave according to circumstances. This would sustain the culture and order of the society and would help it run smoothly. As stated in Item A “Secondary socialisation….habits needed for work” means that school transforms the individual from being themselves and what society wants from them. It could be said that education helps the child develop a social solidity and skills to use it in the world.
One of the most common criticisms of the Durkheim theory is that he doesn’t regard an individual due to his/her respect and personal integrity. As he
…show more content…
Durkheim, Parsons, Davies and More, all advocate that education helps children to understand society’s function and how to become a part of it. Whether it be personal integrity or role allocation education helps the society function and preserves the culture and the economy through it. However, it is not necessarily true as these ideas could be easily countered through Marxists or free will. It is important to note that either way functionalism does play an important role in education as it is dependent on

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    Functionalism is a theory that works to ensure society runs smoothly with the same norms and values. It is also known as the consensus theory, and was created by Auguste Comte. The Consensus theory is a theory linked to functionalism. It is when everyone agrees on norms and values in society, working together to ensure these norms and values are maintained in order for society to run smoothly. This theory says that everyone in society has a job to do, with everyone’s job contributing to the smooth running of society.…

    • 196 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Functionalism is the first macro perspective that as developed as a systematic method of analysis by Bronislaw Malinowski and A.R. Radcliffe-Brown. A principle approach was any social pattern or institute that does not serve a function will cease to exist and any pattern found among people is believed to have innate human needs. (Westphal & Levenson, 1993, pp.44) Malinowski believed that all human needs were satisfied by a way that does not cause social chaos, such as sex drive, hunger, and the need to relieve oneself that satisfied in ways controlled by society. As explained in the textbook a need requires a social pattern or institute that has consequences that satisfy the need.…

    • 492 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Anyon Vs Gatto

    • 895 Words
    • 4 Pages

    No one can deny that school plays an important role in our society. An education can propel a student’s intellectual growth awakening their inner consciousness, as well as prepare students for lucrative careers. In the two selections “Against School“ by John Taylor Gatto and “From Social Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work“ by Jean Anyon, convey to readers the importance of a purpose full education through which students can thrive to actually be the best they can be. Similarly, Gatto and Anyon shed light on the significance that formal education has on society. However, the various teaching styles, school environment, and social economic standing in regards to formal education can have adverse effects on society, and are worth noting.…

    • 895 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In an ideal society, access to education would be portrayed as a top priority. All individuals with the desire to further pursue their education would have the necessary resources to do so. Unfortunately, this is not how societies ideals have been structured. Instead, the younger generation associates education as an unnecessary expense. This ideal fluctuates the vision set by sociologists like Marx/Engels, and Durkheim to achieve a good society, and limits upward mobility.…

    • 1682 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Education is the pillar of life, so it is essential that children are given the best quality education as it will help them to combat life's challenges. The government and all other education stakeholders must work together to ensure that public schools deliver more so as to positively impact learning. It is a fact that the education sector faces several drawbacks. However, with a combined effort, it is possible to trigger change. There are two sources that I use for this essay, it is “I Just Wanna Be Average” by Mike Rose is imperative in showing how children are treated in ‘the working-class schools’, and “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work” by Jean Anyon.…

    • 992 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    From a very young age I clearly understood that my gender was a girl, my race was White but my ethnicity was a mix of Irish, English, and German, I lived in an upper to middle class home, I identified myself as a hetrosexual female, and the language my family and I spoke was English. Along with these different concepts about myself, I was also exposed to culture diversity growing up, which I believe can relate back to my family structure. In some cases, these types of identities can be a struggle for individuals as they are growing up.…

    • 1994 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Functionalism is one of three major social theories that focus on a particular part of a social problem. Functionalists think of society as a machine; every part of the society machine has its own function. When everything is running properly in the machine, then there is equilibrium of society. When it comes to functionalism, sometimes parts of society do not work properly. This is referred to as a dysfunction.…

    • 804 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Introduction This assessment will evaluate Dasani’s family as an entire system. Dasani has been the focal point, however, for this paper, I will be assessing her family as the client system. I will use the following theories; Education Institution, Mass Media Institution, Psychodynamic Perspective, and Family Systems Perspective help further prove my evaluation of Dasani’s family. Education…

    • 961 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I have a book that 's called as Really important stuff my kids have taught me. This is a hand-sized book written by Cynthia L. Copeland, encompassing a multitude of children sayings that are full of sharp-witted common sense. Children perceive the world without any unnecessary complications, hence, their simple but sensible perceptions can always afford grown-ups food for thought by opening up a mind-refreshing perspective. The book reminds me to keep growing yet always keep things simply.…

    • 1557 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In this paper, I will argue against Brighouse’s soft and impractical aim for the main purpose of education. The argument that Brighouse makes is one that the central purpose of education should be to “promote human flourishing” (42). Brighouse asserts that schools must play a role in facilitating autonomy if they wish to promote human flourishing. According to Brighouse, “an autonomy…

    • 978 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many sociologists, including Emile Durkheim, have a strong belief that schools play an essential role in enlightening children about their culture's core values (p.375). In addition, in regards to educating children there are various topics and lessons schools educate to children, as well as what evaluation systems and the school structures teach. Sociologists allude to these implicit enlightenment's as the hidden curriculum which is what I will be discussing in further detail. The hidden curriculum is the lessons students are enlightened by because of their presence in school, in contrast to the lectures from the formal topic-particular curriculum (p.376). Many parents as well as politicians have requested that schools should enlighten children…

    • 297 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Sociology 1301 Courtney Baldwin Sociological Theories: Compare and Contrast The Structural-Functional theory definition: “Functionalism addresses the society as a whole in terms of function of its constituent elements such as norms, customs, traditions, and institutions. ”(Subedi) The structural-functional theory looks at society as many different parts and how they work together to form a stable society; it is a macro-level oriented theory. One important component of the structural-functional approach is the idea of social structure.…

    • 877 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Outline and assess Marxist views on the role and function of education (50 marks) Marxists would argue that the role and function of education is to reproduce the inequalities and social relations of production of the capitalist society, legitimise these inequalities through the myth of meritocracy and to characterise the infrastructure of capitalist societies. However, there are competing viewpoints to Marxism such as Functionalists who have similar views to Marxists about the view role and function of education, however, Functionalists believe that education promotes meritocracy and creates value consensus. One traditional Marxist view on the role and function of education is to reinforce capitalist values through the hidden curriculum.…

    • 1649 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    They believe that the education system is unequal but because society is full of inequalities. They believe that because inequalities exist, it is for the good of society. However, this is not the case. An example of this is that white and black people are treated unequal and this is not good for society. By people seeing a person of different colour skin to them, they may act racist and this is now illegal.…

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Structural functionalism is the theory that as a society grows larger the parts become a more complex and more specialized. The structural-functionalist approach is the idea in sociology that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote equilibrium and stability. The theory says that our lives are led by social structures, which are based off of patterns of social behavior. Social structures help give form to our lives and society through families, the community, and religious establishments. The orientation of functionalism is on a macro type of scale.…

    • 839 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays