1. So far…..

2. Functionalism & Education EDUCATION HAS 3 MAIN FUNCTIONS THAT HELP SOCIETY. 1. Teaches skills needed for work. 2. Sifts and sorts (the allocation function). 3. Passes on core values (secondary agent of socialisation).

3. Education – A Functionalist Perspective Functionalists argue that education has 3 broad functions: 1. Socialisation – Education helps to maintain society by socialising young people into key cultural values, such as achievement, individualism, competition and equality of opportunity. 2. Skills provision – Education teaches the skills required by modern industrial society, from general skills such as literacy and numeracy, to the skills needed for particular occupations. 3. Role allocation – Education allocates people into the most appropriate job for their talents, using examinations and qualifications. Equality of opportunity – everyone has the chance to achieve success in society.

4. Education – A Functionalist Perspective Emile Durkheim, who is often regarded as the founder of functionalist thought, viewed education as a vehicle by which norms and values are passed on. Therefore, education has the effect of integrating individuals into society – thus encouraging social order through a values consensus.

5. Education – A Functionalist Perspective Talcott Parsons developed Durkheim’s functionalist ideas. He describes school in the context of it being a bridge between the family and adult roles within society. Schools transmit the universal value of achievement. It does this because it is meritocratic – the ‘best’ students rise to the top. Parsons agrees with Durkheim in that education helps people agree about norms and values.

6. Functionalism & Education Is education really meritocratic? Think about patterns of differential achievement in terms of class, ethnicity and gender….

7. Functionalism & Education Does education really prepare people for work? Think about the skills shortages in society – e.g. engineering…