PSE4801
Assignment 2 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: June 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, Chapter 1
1.1 How does functionalism view schooling?
Functionalism views schooling as a critical institution that contributes to the
stability and functioning of society. From this perspective, schools serve both
manifest and latent functions. The manifest function is the clear, intended
purpose of teaching intellectual skills, such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
The latent function, however, is more subtle—it includes the socialization of
students into the norms, values, and expectations of society. Functionalists
believe that schools prepare children for adult roles by instilling in them the norms
necessary to operate effectively in a modern, industrialized society. These include
independence, achievement, universalism, and specificity. Schools thus function
to integrate individuals into the economic, political, and cultural systems by
teaching conformity, discipline, and the importance of merit. They are also seen
as providing role differentiation and reinforcing group solidarity, enabling society
to modernize and remain cohesive. Functionalists like Dreeben and Moore argue
that education supports the transmission of social norms required for survival in
complex societies and plays a transformative role by preparing youth for the
workforce and democratic participation. Therefore, education is both a socializing
agent and a mechanism of adaptation to technological and social change.
1.2 How does conflict (Marxist) theory view schooling?
Conflict theory, particularly in its Marxist form, views schooling as a tool used by
the dominant class to maintain power and reproduce social inequality. Schools
are not seen as neutral institutions that serve everyone's interests; rather, they
reflect and reinforce the existing class structure. In the context of Factory Prep,
for example, students are trained to be workers rather than bosses, thus
perpetuating their position within the working class. Education under capitalism is
used to shape compliant laborers who will support capitalist production through
both their work and consumption. Conflict theorists argue that schools instill
capitalist ideologies, such as acceptance of hierarchy, obedience to authority, and
belief in meritocracy, which mask the underlying class inequalities. The funding of
schools through wages, rather than corporate profits, is seen as a way to
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 2 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: June 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, Chapter 1
1.1 How does functionalism view schooling?
Functionalism views schooling as a critical institution that contributes to the
stability and functioning of society. From this perspective, schools serve both
manifest and latent functions. The manifest function is the clear, intended
purpose of teaching intellectual skills, such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
The latent function, however, is more subtle—it includes the socialization of
students into the norms, values, and expectations of society. Functionalists
believe that schools prepare children for adult roles by instilling in them the norms
necessary to operate effectively in a modern, industrialized society. These include
independence, achievement, universalism, and specificity. Schools thus function
to integrate individuals into the economic, political, and cultural systems by
teaching conformity, discipline, and the importance of merit. They are also seen
as providing role differentiation and reinforcing group solidarity, enabling society
to modernize and remain cohesive. Functionalists like Dreeben and Moore argue
that education supports the transmission of social norms required for survival in
complex societies and plays a transformative role by preparing youth for the
workforce and democratic participation. Therefore, education is both a socializing
agent and a mechanism of adaptation to technological and social change.
1.2 How does conflict (Marxist) theory view schooling?
Conflict theory, particularly in its Marxist form, views schooling as a tool used by
the dominant class to maintain power and reproduce social inequality. Schools
are not seen as neutral institutions that serve everyone's interests; rather, they
reflect and reinforce the existing class structure. In the context of Factory Prep,
for example, students are trained to be workers rather than bosses, thus
perpetuating their position within the working class. Education under capitalism is
used to shape compliant laborers who will support capitalist production through
both their work and consumption. Conflict theorists argue that schools instill
capitalist ideologies, such as acceptance of hierarchy, obedience to authority, and
belief in meritocracy, which mask the underlying class inequalities. The funding of
schools through wages, rather than corporate profits, is seen as a way to
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
