Outline the Functionalist view of education (12marks) Functionalism is based on the view that society is a system of interdependent parts held together by a shared culture or value consensus. Each part of society such as the family, economy or education system performs functions that help maintain society as a whole. The functionalist perspective on education can be broken down into the three main topics: solidarity and skills, meritocracy and role allocation. Durkheim states that education performs two main functions: creating social solidarity and teaching specialist skills. Durkheim argues that society needs a sense of solidarity and he argues that this function is important as without it social life and cooperation would be impossible because each individual would pursue their own selfish desires. The education system helps to create social solidarity as school is a vehicle for transmitting norms and values from one generation to the next. For example the school teaches students about history which gives them a sense of shared heritage and a commitment to wider social group. School also acts as a society in miniature preparing students for life in wider society. For example school mirrors the workplace which helps students know how to deal with real world situations. Durkheim also argues that education also teaches individuals the specialist knowledge and skills that they need to play their part in the social division of labour. A weakness of this view is that it assumes capitalism is good as the ideology of being transmitted is that of the ruling class.
Parsons agrees with Durkheim’s ideology. Parsons sees the school as the focal socialising agency in modern society as it acts as bridge between childhood and adulthood. Parsons believes in the idea of meritocracy which means that he believes individuals achieve rewards through their own efforts and ability.