Theories of Education Historically, American education served both political and economic needs, which dictated the function of education. Today, sociologists and educators debate the function of education. Three main theories represent their views: the functionalist theory, the conflict theory, and the symbolic interactionist theory. The functionalist theory The functionalist theory focuses on the ways that universal education serves the needs of society. Functionalists first see education in its
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Some people believe that the education system exists mainly to select and prepare younger people for their future work roles. Item A agrees with this idea as it says that education teaches people to perform “a vital role in modern societies”, while family life gives people the ability to play a role as a “functioning member of a large-scale society”. In other words, it says that education is key for “modern” work, while social life is more key in giving people social skills, to function with other
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Assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family (24 marks) Functionalists employ the idea of the nuclear family being the main universal family in society and most benefitting. The nuclear family functions to meet the pro dominant means of society (sexual reproduction, educational and economic functions). The family allows each member of the family to shine individually and enjoy success. The functionalist sociologist Murdock believed that the nuclear family
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Social Inequality essay plans for Part b) 30 mark question Evaluate the usefulness of sociological explanations of ethnic inequalities.(30) Evaluate the view that society is institutionally racist (30) Adapt according to question given Introduction Ethnic inequalities are still significant in the UK – give a few examples. Suggest some explanations e.g Racism, Institutional racism, social class of ethnic minorities (Marxism), welfare dependency (New Right). This essay will identify and assess
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The New Right perspective have a more political view on education which could be named as old fashioned compared to functionalists. They believed that education is for socialising and preparing young children for the world of work however they say that the state cannot meet peoples needs. The New Right are similar in many ways to functionalists as they believe that some people are naturally more talented than others. They believe that education should socialise pupils into shared values, such
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when examining opportunity structures in causing crime and deviance. Functionalists, especially Durkheim sees society as a stable system based on value consensus-shared norms, values, beliefs and goals. This produces social solidarity, binding individuals together into one harmonious unit. To achieve this, society must participate in socialisation and social control. These functionalist concepts easily link to the functionalist explanation of crime where crime is portrayed as inevitable and functional
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Functionalist believe that the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society. The term value consensus means that the majority of society agree. For example in the United Kingdom people believe going to school and getting a education is a norm: this is a value consensus. The education system has many purposes such as secondary socialisation of children and allocation of roles, due to the meritocratic that lays within it. Different theorists believe in different functions
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this essay the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family will be discussed, sociologists such as Murdock (1949), Parsons (1979) and Young and Wilmott (1973) will be mentioned in this essay. Functionalists believe that society is based on a shared value consensus, this is a set of shared norms and values into which society socialises its members, this enables society to work harmoniously and meet society’s needs and goals. Functionalists believe that the family is
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strengths and limitations of the functionalists theory in sociology. In the study of sociology, the functionalist perspective is a view of society that focuses on the way various parts of society have funtions and live in a consensus that maintain the stability and social order of the whole society. Functionalism is seen as a macro scale approach to society; it sees society as a whole rather than just focusing on some parts of it. Because of this, functionalism views society as a body (organic analogy)
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relationship in the classroom and the workplace. This correspondence (similarity) is important as it prepares the new generation to accept their roles in a capitalist society. 02: Suggest three criticisms that other sociologists may make of the functionalist view on education system. (6 marks) The first criticism by other sociologists would be by Melvin Tumin (1953), who criticises Davis and Moore for their role allocation theory. He says that this argument is seen to be circular, as we know which job is important
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