SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF EDUCATION

The sociology of education is defined according Wikipedia, as the study of how public

institutions and individual experiences affect education and its outcomes. It is mostly concern

with the public schooling systems of modern industrial societies, including the expansion of

higher, further, adult and continuing education. There are about three types of sociological

theories on education and they are: functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism.

Having read through the week readings and noting different sociological theories, their views,

functions in education, I came to realize that social functionalism is one of the theories that

aligned to my philosophy of education.

Functionalists view education as one of the more important social institutions in a society. A

functionalist’s perspective on education is to have a consensus perspective; examine society in

terms of how it is maintained for the common good. A functionalist will put an emphasis on

positive aspects of schools such as socialization; the learning of skills and attitudes in school. 

World Bank, (2018). Agreed that education helps maintain society by socializing young people

into values of achievement, competition and equality of opportunity. Skills provision is also

important. Education teaches the skills for the economy. For example, literacy, numeracy and IT

for particular occupations. Role allocation is all part of this. Education allocates people to the

most appropriate jobs for their talents, using examinations and qualifications.

This socialization also involves learning the rules and norms of the society as a whole. Just like

days of compulsory education, students learned the dominant culture. Today, since the culture is

becoming increasingly diverse, students may learn a variety of cultural norms, not only that of
the dominant culture. Anderson-Levitt, (2005). Emphasized that school systems in the United

States also transmit the core values of the nation through manifest functions like social control.

One of the roles of schools is to teach students conformity to law and respect for authority.

Obviously, such respect, given to teachers and administrators, will help a student navigate the

school environment. This function also prepares students to enter the workplace and the world at

large, where they will continue to be subject to people who have authority over them. Fulfillment

of this function rests primarily with classroom teachers and instructors who are with students all

day. Education also fulfills latent functions. As you well know, much goes on in a school that has

little to do with formal education. For example, you might notice an attractive fellow student

when he gives a particularly interesting answer in class—catching up with him and making a

date speaks to the latent function of courtship fulfilled by exposure to a peer group in the

educational setting. According to the theoretical perspectives on education (2010), the educational

setting introduces students to social networks that might last for years and can help people find

jobs after their schooling is complete. Of course, with social media such as Facebook and

LinkedIn, these networks are easier than ever to maintain. Another latent function is the ability to

work with others in small groups, a skill that is transferable to a workplace and that might not be

learned in a homeschool setting. The educational system, especially as experienced on university

campuses, has traditionally provided a place for students to learn about various social issues.

There is ample opportunity for social and political advocacy, as well as the ability to develop

tolerance to the many views represented on campus

 References

Anderson-Levitt, K. M. (2005). The schoolyard gate: Schooling and childhood in global

perspective. Journal of Social History, 38(4), 987+. Retrieved March 4, 2018,

from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A133934741/AONE?

u=lirn17237&sid=AONE&xid=c28ffaf8

Theoretical perspectives on education. (2010). In University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing

(Ed.), Sociology: Understanding and changing the social world. Retrieved March 3, 2018,

from http://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/16-2-sociological-perspectives-on-education/

World Bank. (2018). Ch 1: Schooling, learning and the promise of education. In World Development

Report 2018 : Learning to Realize Education's Promise. Retrieved March 2, 2018,

from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/28340