Sociologist perspectives on education
The Functionalist view on education
They believe that society is based on a value consensus and that
society is more important than the individual. It establishes a common
identity and builds unity through moral education.
They see social institutions as a positive thing that plays in society and
that education has two main functions.
1. Manifest- these are what institutions are expected to provide and
fulfil. For example :
Socialisation - education is a secondary socialisation as it teaches
pupils how to behave. Pupils are taught this based on their age and build
their knowledge as they go through education. They can learn and
develop their own identities, which are influenced by a value consensus.
Change and innovative - schools are a source of change, they adapt to
meet societal needs and act as keepers on knowledge.
2. Latent - these are social patterns that schools put in place that are
not always obvious. For example
Engaging in group work - when students work together on tasks, they
learn skills that are valued by the job market such as teamwork and
when they compete with each other, they learn about competitiveness in
the market.
Creating a generational gap - students may be taught things that may
go against their families beliefs, which creates a generational gap. For
example many families may be biassed towards ethnic groups or certain
social groups.
The New Right view on education
They believe education promotes marketisation and that the state should
not be relied upon as it can’t meet everyone's needs.
The Functionalist view on education
They believe that society is based on a value consensus and that
society is more important than the individual. It establishes a common
identity and builds unity through moral education.
They see social institutions as a positive thing that plays in society and
that education has two main functions.
1. Manifest- these are what institutions are expected to provide and
fulfil. For example :
Socialisation - education is a secondary socialisation as it teaches
pupils how to behave. Pupils are taught this based on their age and build
their knowledge as they go through education. They can learn and
develop their own identities, which are influenced by a value consensus.
Change and innovative - schools are a source of change, they adapt to
meet societal needs and act as keepers on knowledge.
2. Latent - these are social patterns that schools put in place that are
not always obvious. For example
Engaging in group work - when students work together on tasks, they
learn skills that are valued by the job market such as teamwork and
when they compete with each other, they learn about competitiveness in
the market.
Creating a generational gap - students may be taught things that may
go against their families beliefs, which creates a generational gap. For
example many families may be biassed towards ethnic groups or certain
social groups.
The New Right view on education
They believe education promotes marketisation and that the state should
not be relied upon as it can’t meet everyone's needs.
