Durkheim and Parsons Views on Functionalist Perspective...

This essay will discuss the Functionalists views of education by describing and evaluating Durkheim and Parsons Views. It will then go on to discuss the alternative to Functionalists perspectives by discussing Marxist and Liberalists views of the role of education. Durkheim believes that education passes on the norms and values, this integrates individuals into society, the norms and values are then extended into later life and without this it would cause chaos because people would do what they wanted, for example not sitting down in lessons and not arriving to lesson time. - Value consensus (Parsons, 2008:54).He also believes that without social solidarity a social life would not be possible and this glue holds society together. Moreover, this is a strength because education does help society pull together by learning people the norms and values and teaching them the important skills in life that are needed to build society. For example going to school and learning rules and guidelines would set people up in later life for employment or higher education, it also prepares people for exams within the workplace which employers may use to select people for jobs. However, Functionalists do not take into account that certain groups for example working class and certain ethnic minority groups underachieve in school, therefore there is inequality and this does not operate on a meritocratic system not taking into account class, gender and ethnicity.( HaralambosLangley,2004:91).Show MoreRelatedEducation Is the Main Agent of Secondary Socialisation. How Do Schools Prepare Us for Social Life?639 Words   |  3 Pagessocialisation is Education, more precisely, school. At school, the student continues learning that which they started learning at home. The aim of education is for the individual to learn how to behave in certain situations and places. 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This perspective was founded by sociologist Karl Marx (1818-1883) and serves to introduce the concept that â€Å"inequality and specifically inequality under capitalism† existsRead MoreStrengths and Weaknesses of the Functionalist View on Society1459 Words   |  6 PagesAssess the strengths and weaknesses of the functionalist view on society. Functionalism is a consensus perspective, whereby society is based on shared values and norms into which members are socialised. For functionalists, society is seen as a system of social institutions such as the economy, religion and the family all of which perform socialisation functions. A strength of the functionalist theory is that it a macro level structural theory which uses an organic analogy- using the body asRead MoreAsses the Functionalist Role of Education in Society Essay1263 Words   |  6 PagesAsses the functionalist role of education in society The role of education is to educate individuals within society and to prepare them for working life in the economy, also to integrate individuals and teach them the norms, values and roles within society. There are many different sociological theories that differ within the role of education within society that attempt to try and explain how society or aspects of society work together. 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Both perspectives agree that the educational system provides society with certain functions, but they disagree about the purpose of these functions and more importantly who benefits from them. Functionalists see the educational system as providing a positive educational experienceRead MoreSociology of Education1597 Words   |  6 PagesSociology of Education This assignment will compare and contrast competing theoretical perspectives on education process. Functionalism, Marxism and interactionist theories will be included. The definition of education is that it is a process or the act of gaining or teaching general knowledge; it is an act that assists in the development of reasoning as well as judgement and generally preparing oneself or others the intellectuality for mature life. Functionalism in essence deduces each part ofRead MoreFunctionalist And Conflict Paradigm Of The Role Schooling And Education1580 Words   |  7 PagesMartin Luther King Jr. once said that â€Å"the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education†. When we think of schooling and education and what it really entails many might assume it serves the same function. In this essay we shall elaborate on the views of the functionalist and conflict paradigm of the role schooling and education, we will also look at the differences and similarities of the two theoriesRead MoreScociological1136 Words   |  5 PagesSociological Paradigms There are three sociological perspectives that shape the structure of society as a whole. Functionalist perspective, symbolic interactionism and conflict theory. Sociologists develop these theories to explain social phenomena. In this essay I will explain the origins and evolution of the three main sociological perspectives and listing the sociologists that made major contributions to these disciplines. â€Å"The functionalist perspective is a sociological approach which emphasizesRead MoreSociological Perspectives Of An Individual And Their Own Behaviour And The Society1126 Words   |  5 PagesIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES   Sociology studies the lives of an individual and their own behaviour and the society they live in (A. Giddens 2006). There are theoretical perspectives used so that one understands an individual behaviour and the society they live in. The sociological perspectives study each behaviour and how it is linked to the whole society or how the society influence the individual rather. The society is a diverse body and different perspectives is used to understand how they are linked