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Using material from item A assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to an understanding of the role of education. (20 marks)
‘The value of the Functionalist approach to education lies mainly in the emphasis that it gives to the links between the education system and aspects of the wider social structure.’ (ITEM A) Functionalism is the view that education is used a one of the many institutions in society to socialise the young and teach them norms and values through formal and informal education and the hidden curriculum which is not taught and accumulated over time through the acceptance of school rules and hierarchy with the education system. Formal education takes place in schools and college and is tested by exams whereas the informal education is learned as we live our lives and not tested by exams. Durkheim a functionalist sociologist states that education promotes social solidarity which is the integration, and degree and type of integration, shown by a society. The school is the primary basis of this solidarity and a mini society where children learn to become adults. For example within the school environment children learn key skills such as literacy and numeracy which is key to successfully integrating into society. This shows how children are prepared for later life and the world of work through such and institution. Durkheim also considers that school is not the only place where children are socialised and the family also plays a key role. Durkheim also states the importance of education and how it integrates students into the right place in society and the workplace. However he assumes the values are transmitted from society as a whole, but class division also affects education, for example upper class students have the opportunity to attend private schools, and potentially receive a better education. Ethnicity can also affect the success in education that students have. An independant study showed that "In high school,
‘The value of the Functionalist approach to education lies mainly in the emphasis that it gives to the links between the education system and aspects of the wider social structure.’ (ITEM A) Functionalism is the view that education is used a one of the many institutions in society to socialise the young and teach them norms and values through formal and informal education and the hidden curriculum which is not taught and accumulated over time through the acceptance of school rules and hierarchy with the education system. Formal education takes place in schools and college and is tested by exams whereas the informal education is learned as we live our lives and not tested by exams. Durkheim a functionalist sociologist states that education promotes social solidarity which is the integration, and degree and type of integration, shown by a society. The school is the primary basis of this solidarity and a mini society where children learn to become adults. For example within the school environment children learn key skills such as literacy and numeracy which is key to successfully integrating into society. This shows how children are prepared for later life and the world of work through such and institution. Durkheim also considers that school is not the only place where children are socialised and the family also plays a key role. Durkheim also states the importance of education and how it integrates students into the right place in society and the workplace. However he assumes the values are transmitted from society as a whole, but class division also affects education, for example upper class students have the opportunity to attend private schools, and potentially receive a better education. Ethnicity can also affect the success in education that students have. An independant study showed that "In high school,