Functionalist Theories

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Functionalist Theories on the Education System

Functionalists believe that education equips people to perform different functional roles in society.

Durkheim

Beginning in preschool and kindergarten, students are taught to practice different societal roles.
The French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) said schools are “socialisation agencies that teach children how to get along with others and prepare them for adult economic roles” (Durkheim 1898).

Socialisation

This socialisation involves learning the rules and norms of society as a whole.
Schools teach students the diverse skills needed for a diverse workforce by letting students specialise (e.g. for GCSE).

Secondary functions

Secondary functions are unintended functions.
You learn lots at school outside of your formal education.
- For example, you might notice a student you find attractive in your class that you fancy. Speaking to that student and building a relationship with them teaches you the principles of courting.

Secondary functions cont.

The educational setting introduces students to social networks that might last for years and can help people find jobs after they finish school.
Another skill you learn is the ability to work with others in small groups. This skill is transferable to a workplace and that might not be learned in a homeschool setting.

Allocation function

Another role of schools is to sort or classify students based on academic merit or potential.
Schools identify the most capable students through testing and classroom achievements. The most capable students are allocated to the most important or challenging jobs (allocation function).
Functionalists think this is fair because they think education is a meritocracy. A meritocracy is where everyone has equal opportunity and personal effort or merit determines social standing.

Criticisms of Functionalist Theories of Education

Functionalism suggests that education benefits society as a whole, but Marxists believe that education only benefits the ruling classes, while feminism sees education as only benefiting men.

Determining values

Functionalists, including Durkheim and Parsons argue that education promotes the norms and values of society as a whole.
Marxists claim that education only promotes the values of powerful groups.

Hargreaves

David Hargreaves (1982) argues that education promotes competition and individualism and not shared values.

Divisions

According to Durkheim, education promotes social solidarity. However, education can also be divisive because of the hierarchy of schools and universities, which can separate social classes.

Other factors

Functionalism argues that educational achievement is based on merit (meritocracy), yet research indicates that factors such as class, gender, and ethnicity also influence achievement.

True meritocracy?

Functionalists Davis and Moore argue that education selects the most appropriate people to do particular jobs, yet other factors aside from qualifications, such as social contacts (who you know) also influence the labour market.