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Assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding to our

understanding of the role of the education system in the society.

Introduction

Politically, formal education has developed in many ways. The 1988 Education ReformAct made education almost a franchise, as well as changing many other prior

customs. Functionalist sociologist Durkheim noted society needed consensus in

order to keep structured. Marxist sociologist Althusser argued the educational

system is a main agent for ideological control, replacing the church in upholding

capitalism. In society, the education system is large institution, however dierent

sociologists perceive it fulls dierent agendas.

Functionalists see the education system as something fundamental to social

solidarity. !his is "ecause the main functionalist dogma is one of society "einglike a system# education "eing a pivotal organ in the $smooth running% of society.

!his is echoed "y Durkheim who claims school is &society in miniature'. Davis and

Moore argued that ine(uality in society is )ustia"le due to )o" allocation. !his is

"ecause education serves as an indication to what )o"s people are suita"le for,

and people dier in intelligence, skill and talent and for society to run at an

eective level it is crucial that roles are lled "y the most talented and

appropriate people. !his would "e critici*ed and disputed "y Marxists and

feminists.

!he education system is seen "y Marxists as a vehicle for ideological control.

!hey "elieve it "urgeons capitalism "y conditioning in exploitation to the future

population, to "enet a minority+ the $"ourgeoisie%. Marxists "elieve school

accomplishes this "y making the learning environment competitive and work

es(ue, for example+ most maths (uestions are a"out shop keeping and other

su"servient, working class )o"s. A life of exploitation even trickles down to a

schools dress code. !his was previously carried out "y the church.

Future exploitation - school uniform su"tle way/

Althusser arm chair theoriser

!his is critici*ed "y feminists

Feminists see

1. Functioanlists

2. ar!ists

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". #ew $ight%#eo &iberal

'. Post odernism%Feminism

To complete the socialization process.

The school and other institutions have come into being in place of family to complete

the socialization process. It is the function of education to see that unfounded beliefs,

illogical prejudices and unreasoned loyalties are removed from the child's mind,

though the school has its own limitations in this regard, it is expected to continue its

efforts in reforming the attitudes of the child.

To transmit the central heritage :

This social heritage (culture) must be transmitted through social organisations.

For the formation of social personality

Education helps in transmitting culture through proper molding of social

personalities. In this way, it contributes to the integration, to survive and to reproduce

themselves.

Education for occupational placement :

Education must prepare the student for future occupational positions, the youth

should be enabled to play a productive role in society.

Conferring of Status :

Conferring of status is one of the most important function of education. The amount

of education one has, is correlated with his class position. This is four in U.S.A.,

U.S.S.R., Japan, Germany and some other societies.

Education is related to one's position in the stratification structure in two ways. (1) An

evaluation of one's status is partially decided by what kind of education one has

received and (2) Many of the other important criteria of class position such as

occupation, income and style of life are partially the result of the type and amount of

education one has had.

Men who finish college, for example, earn two and a half times as much as those

who have a grammar school education.Education encourages the spirit of competition :

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The teacher admires and praises those who d well and frowns upon those who fail to

do well. The schools ranking system serves to prepare for a later ranking system.