Our text, You May Ask Yourself by Dalton Conley, defines functionalism as “the theory that various social institutions and process in society exist to serve some important (or necessary) function to keep society running,” (Conley 29). When applied to the concept of general inequality, this theory suggests that inequality is an unavoidable, necessary facet of human interaction. Functionalism results in a sort of evolution, where society slowly advances the longer each component works properly. In the other corner sits the conflict theory, which states that “conflict between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society in general,” (Conley 30). This Marxist theory directly combats the functionalist theory when
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This evolution vs. revolution battle is the overarching difference between functionalists and conflict theorists.
On the surface, the education system in our country perfectly fits the functionalist perspective. Students are educated in the disciplines deemed necessary, and become capable citizens that keep society running smoothly. Socialization between students and their peers/teachers also sets them up to be obedient workers when they reach their professions. Various inequalities can be attributed to the functionalist theory of education, especially grade inequality. Letter grades are assigned to all students on the basis of how well they performed, determining their GPA and categorizing their performance. Students with higher GPAs work better in the system than those with lower GPAs, and thus everyone eventually receives the job/status that fits the level of work that they are intellectually capable of. This system is a meritocracy – “a society where status and mobility are based on individual attributes, ability, and achievement, “Conley 253). Meritocracy is also furthered by the inequality that the tracking system results in. Tracking is “a way of dividing students into …show more content…
It’s the underprivileged schools that need the most help, and the increased access to resources would definitely be a great step in the right direction. Overall, I believe the education system nationwide does the best it can, but they do not receive nearly enough resources or credit. The massive differences among families and their ways of life both before and after education are what constitute most of one’s life, and thus should be the center of social change when trying to eliminate gaps. Unfortunately, not many families have time nor money to achieve this, so perhaps the best way to go about this is a larger scale federal tutoring program available to all children. All in all, education needs to be seen as a necessary beacon of opportunity that does as well as it can and must continue to be federally supported on greater
This evolution vs. revolution battle is the overarching difference between functionalists and conflict theorists.
On the surface, the education system in our country perfectly fits the functionalist perspective. Students are educated in the disciplines deemed necessary, and become capable citizens that keep society running smoothly. Socialization between students and their peers/teachers also sets them up to be obedient workers when they reach their professions. Various inequalities can be attributed to the functionalist theory of education, especially grade inequality. Letter grades are assigned to all students on the basis of how well they performed, determining their GPA and categorizing their performance. Students with higher GPAs work better in the system than those with lower GPAs, and thus everyone eventually receives the job/status that fits the level of work that they are intellectually capable of. This system is a meritocracy – “a society where status and mobility are based on individual attributes, ability, and achievement, “Conley 253). Meritocracy is also furthered by the inequality that the tracking system results in. Tracking is “a way of dividing students into …show more content…
It’s the underprivileged schools that need the most help, and the increased access to resources would definitely be a great step in the right direction. Overall, I believe the education system nationwide does the best it can, but they do not receive nearly enough resources or credit. The massive differences among families and their ways of life both before and after education are what constitute most of one’s life, and thus should be the center of social change when trying to eliminate gaps. Unfortunately, not many families have time nor money to achieve this, so perhaps the best way to go about this is a larger scale federal tutoring program available to all children. All in all, education needs to be seen as a necessary beacon of opportunity that does as well as it can and must continue to be federally supported on greater