1. The Functionalist Perspective
Education
The Functionalist Perspective
Aim: To understand the purpose of education in society according to a Functionalist.
Draw an image that represents how a Functionalist view society.
Find a way to fit The Education System into your picture.

2. Society is made up of “large systems”
Functionalist views
Society Interdependent Parts.
Shared Culture / Norms
What FUNCTION does education form?
Structuralist.
Society is made up of “large systems”
Macro-Sociologist.
Emile Duqrkheim

3. Education Useful Functions
Socialise Children into NORMS and VALUES…
“VALUE CONSENSUS”
Everyone has a role to play!
Some more successful than others – Inequality Inevitable…
Education – “Social Solidarity” ( Indentify with same group.)

4. What is Education’s role in society? The Hidden Curriculum:
Knowledge to pass exams
Learn attitudes and expectations
Shapes us from 4 to 16
The Hidden Curriculum:
“…things pupils learn through the experience of attending school rather than the stated educational objectives of such institutions…” HARALAMBOS

5. Hidden Curriculum… Master National Language.. Different behaviour..
Reward for hard work..

6. Schools Teach: Adaptation – adapt to work environment.
Goal Attainment – use resources to achieve goals.
Integration – encourage people to work together.
Latent Pattern Maintenance – Keep improving and changing.

7. Shapes Opinions
Education ESSENTIAL to avoid these and achieve SOCIAL SOLIDARITY.
(Religion used to serve this function..)
Crime Rate Rises = Egoism
(people pursue own goals)
Suicide Rises = ANOMIE
(confusion/lack of shared values).

8. Education Teaches Specialist Skills
We all need skills to bring to the workplace…
Specialist Skills
Different groups provide different functions for the smooth running of society as a whole…
Functionalists advocate VOCATIONAL TRAINING…

9. Talcott Parsons “Education acts as a bridge between home and work..”

10. Criticisms of Functionalist View
Teaches values of ‘ruling class’ NOT society.
History is ETHNOCENTRIC – focuses on own society.
Groups underachieve – (gender, ethnic, class)
Not enough links with WORK – subjects too theoretical.