SED 2601 SOCIOLOGY_OF_EDUCATION_LECTURE_NOTES.

TOPIC: FUNCTIONALISM/STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM  The word functionalism is derived from the word function. According to Mann (1987:138) the term function is used in disciplines like biology, social sciences and mathematics. In sociology the term function was introduced by Redcliff and Brown to suggest that different parts of society meet societal needs and that society could be conceptualised as made up of interdependent parts in relation to each other. THE MAIN PROPONENTS OF FUNCTIONALISM.  According to Marcus and Duckling (1998:29-30) the origins of functionalism as a method of approach to social issues is found in the writings of Herbert Spencer, Emily Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Robert Matton and August Comnte.  Emily Durkheim pioneered the thought of functionalism by providing the functional analysis of society i.e. how society works.  Talcott Parsons identified essential aspects for the survival of social systems such as social order, social stability and value consensus (that which keeps a society together).  Robert Matton talked of manifest and latent functions of social institutions, functional and dysfunctional systems. THE KEY ATTRIBUTES /FEATURES OF FUNCTIONALISM.  Functionalism explains social institutions like the family, school and the church interms of the functions that they perform, thus it views society as a living organism.  Haralambos and Holborn (1990:8) argue that the key characteristics of functionalism maybe summarised by a comparison drawn from biology e.g. to understand how an organism such as the human body works, biologists begin by examining the various parts such as the brain, lungs and the liver.  These parts however are not analysed in isolation but are examined in relation to each other since they work together to maintain the organism. Functionalism therefore adopts a similar view where various parts of society are seen to be interrelated and inter-dependent with each performing a function that contributes to the survival of the society e.g. understanding any part of a society such as the family and school it has to be seen in relation to the whole society.  A change in any one part of society affects other parts of the society as well. If anyone in that institution fails to fulfil his/her obligation this adversely affects the society as a whole. For a society/organisation to function/to do anything it has to have a structure. SOCIAL BEHAVIOURAL STRUCTURE.  Functionalists observe that behaviour in society is structured. Relationships among members are designed according to certain specific rules. The rules and norms of society are founded upon certain values, thus social functions like the family, school, the economy and political systems are made up of inter-connected roles of the husband, wife, sons and daughters. These are guided by certain related norms. THE SOCIAL FUNCTION OF STRUCTURES/INSTITUTIONS.  According to functionalists each social structure has a function/role to perform. The social function of an institution is the contribution that it makes to the maintenance and survival of the social system e.g. the major function of the family is the socialization of new members of the society (children) into the values and norms of that particular society. FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.  Functionalists argue that certain basic needs/requirements must be met if society is to survive (functional requirements) e.g. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. FUNCTIONAL.  Functionalists believe that a particular function can be performed by different structures thereby rendering no single structure essential for society (functional alternatives) e.g. a school can perform many functions which are performed by the family, or can still be done by the church. FUNCTIONAL/DYSFUNCTIONAL STRUCTURES.  If the activities of a social structure contribute to the cohesion and solidarity of a social system it is said to be a functional but if the social structure threatens the unity/cohesion of the society it is said to be dysfunctional. MANIFEST AND LATENT STRUCTURES.  A manifest function is one that is recognized and was intended when the institution was established.  Thelatent is one which is unintended; it just develops/comes out.