Theories of Education
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Compare and contrast Functionalist and Marxist theories of Education in Society.
The role of education in society has an important effect on society by way of transmitting cultural values and contributing to the social stratification or class system. Functionalists also referred to as consensus theorists believe education helps stability and functioning of society, whereas conflict theorists namely the Marxists see education as justifying and promoting inequality.
Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist and founder of the functionalist theory believed that schools transmit the culture of a society from one generation to the next and schools are there to continue the process of socialisation that begins in the family. Children therefore are socialised into sharing sets of values and culture, creating a sense of identity within a community or society, learning to have respect for authority, a sense of fair play and feelings of unity make children feel part of a wider group for example the study of history at school gives us a sense continuity of our culture. However Louis Althusser a Marxist had opposing views arguing the ruling class use education to transmit its ideology of capitalism to the rest of the population, as it is just and reasonable and a far more effective means of domination and control. This ideology persuades the working class to accept its position, enabling the minority ruling class to maintain its power and privilege to encourage the class structure.
Talcott Parson, an American sociologist developed Durkheim’s ideas further arguing that education carries on the important function of socialisation by ensuring the continuity of norms and values and therefore schools were the bridge between family and the wider society. Parson came up with the idea of “role allocation” where young people or students are sorted and sifted in terms of their abilities or talents and are given appropriate roles in
Compare and contrast Functionalist and Marxist theories of Education in Society.
The role of education in society has an important effect on society by way of transmitting cultural values and contributing to the social stratification or class system. Functionalists also referred to as consensus theorists believe education helps stability and functioning of society, whereas conflict theorists namely the Marxists see education as justifying and promoting inequality.
Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist and founder of the functionalist theory believed that schools transmit the culture of a society from one generation to the next and schools are there to continue the process of socialisation that begins in the family. Children therefore are socialised into sharing sets of values and culture, creating a sense of identity within a community or society, learning to have respect for authority, a sense of fair play and feelings of unity make children feel part of a wider group for example the study of history at school gives us a sense continuity of our culture. However Louis Althusser a Marxist had opposing views arguing the ruling class use education to transmit its ideology of capitalism to the rest of the population, as it is just and reasonable and a far more effective means of domination and control. This ideology persuades the working class to accept its position, enabling the minority ruling class to maintain its power and privilege to encourage the class structure.
Talcott Parson, an American sociologist developed Durkheim’s ideas further arguing that education carries on the important function of socialisation by ensuring the continuity of norms and values and therefore schools were the bridge between family and the wider society. Parson came up with the idea of “role allocation” where young people or students are sorted and sifted in terms of their abilities or talents and are given appropriate roles in
References: used: Duric S. Class handouts Functionalist/Marxist theories on Education 10/2012 A.S Sociology: EDUCATION UNIT 2: SCLY2. [ONLINE] Available at: http://agnihotrieducation.blogspot.co.uk/2008/09/functionalist-theories-of-education.html. [Last Accessed 4 November 2012]. Ballantine J H, Spade J Z, (2008). 'WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION? THEORIES AND METHODS '. In: Ballantine J and Spade J (ed), Schools and Society A Sociological Approach To Education. 3rd ed. United States of America: Sage Publications, Inc. pp.9-16. Browne K, (2008). 'Education '. In: Ken Browne (ed), SOCIOLOGY FOR AS AQA. 3rd ed. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. pp.344-355. Kirby M, Kidd W, Koubel F, Barter J, Hope T, Kirton A, Madry N, Manning P & Triggs K, (1997). '8. Education and Training '. In: Mark Kirby , Mr Warren Kidd , Francine Koubel , John Barter, Tanya Hope, Alison Kirton, Nick Madry , Paul Manning , Karen Triggs (ed), Sociology in Perspective. 1st ed. Oxford: Heinemann Educational. pp.282-285.