What Are The Roles And Functions Of Education?
Overview
Why do almost all modern societies make children go to school? Functionalist sociologists give a confident answer: because education does essential jobs that hold society together. It passes on shared values, teaches the skills the economy needs, and sorts people fairly into the roles that suit their talents. In this view school is a kind of bridge between the family and the wider world, and a ladder that lets the able rise however humble their start.
In this lesson you will learn the functionalist case in full, from Durkheim on social solidarity to Parsons on meritocracy and Davis and Moore on role allocation. You will see how meritocracy, social mobility, standardised testing and value consensus fit together, and then test the theory against its critics. By the end you will be able to argue both that education benefits society and that this rosy picture overlooks real inequalities.
Objectives
- The positive roles and functions of education: the roles of education: socialisation, social control, economic, selective, meritocracy and social mobility, role allocation, value consensus, equal opportunities, standardised testing, setting by ability, vocationalism.
- Strengths and limitations of the functionalist view.
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on What Are The Roles And Functions Of Education?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which sociologist described school as a 'society in miniature' that creates social solidarity? A. Talcott Parsons B. Emile Durkheim C. Davis and Moore D. Karl Marx Answer: B
- According to Parsons, school acts as a bridge between the family and society because it: A. is funded by the government B. judges pupils by universalistic standards that apply to everyone C. allows pupils to choose their own subjects D. removes all competition between pupils Answer: B
- Davis and Moore are associated with which function of education? A. Role allocation (sifting and sorting) B. The hidden curriculum C. The correspondence principle D. Labelling Answer: A
- The belief that rewards are earned through effort and ability is known as: A. value consensus B. social control C. meritocracy D. socialisation Answer: C
- Which is a common criticism of the functionalist view of education? A. It ignores the skills education teaches B. It overstates meritocracy and ignores class inequality C. It denies that education socialises pupils D. It claims schooling has no economic role Answer: B
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