Republic of the Philippines

PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY

(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-
1683
Graduate School

REACTION PAPER:

SOCIOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION:

Education is critical in society for it is a key factor

in preserving the functions, stability, survival, and convenience of the
society. Aside from education itself, socialization is also very important
in the foundation of education for this is where the people learn most
especially during the ancient era when there were no formal means
of education. According to Birkenhoff in 1989, socialization is the
process of learning the roles, statuses, and values necessary for
participation in social institutions. Just like what I have mentioned earlier,
socialization plays an important role in education for it is where people
learn the different roles, statuses, and values of the different groups of
people from different cultures and different places.
The man is born in society and has to develop his personality in society. According to
Ross "Individuality is of one value and personality is meaningless apart from social
environment. In the social environment, individuals interact with forces that influence them
and they also influence society. An individual can learn very little by himself. In his learning
society contributes very significantly. Man lives in society, and acquires socialization through
his contact with family, relatives, and friends. He learns basic things with mutual behavior
through this contact. If an individual is left alone without any companions and society then
his learning will not take place, therefore for education, the presence of other people means
society is very necessary. Education and society are interdependent and complementary to
each other educational system can be understood without looking at the canvass of society.
Society can never progress without a sound system of education. Education should enable the
pupil to be a useful member of society.
Educational sociology is the branch of behavioral science that deals with social
aspects of education. It is a sociological approach to education. Its area is vast. The society
facilitates the process of education. It contributes society to the emergence of educational
institutions for various kinds of education, formal, informal, and non-formal. It is a journey
taken by education to reach society. Thus education is a social necessity. It is the study of
social interaction, social processes, and social norms. Hence the subject of educational
sociology has assumed great importance.
Education is indispensable to individuals and society, for without it there would be
loss, of all the accumulated knowledge of the ages and all the standards of conduct. An
individual must learn the culture of the society or the accepted ways of doing things. He must
be socialized into the prevailing culture and must learn the rules of conduct and expectations
about future behavior.
 Republic of the Philippines
PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY
(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-
1683
Graduate School
Education provides a conscious teaching programme that helps to inculcate values
norms and social skills that will enable the individual to develop his personality and sustain
the social system. The meaning of education differs from place to place and from time to
time. It has passed through many ages and stages of evolution. Education is a reflection of the
social and political conditions prevailing outside. It reflects society but, in turn, it has within
it the seeds of dynamics of change and thus can keep up with the fast-changing world.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

SOCIOLOGICAL FOUNDATION
- Sociological foundation of education is a field of study that focuses on the social
aspects of education. It examines how social institutions and structures, such as race,
gender, and class, affect the educational system and the students within it.

SOCIOLOGY
- Sociology is a social science that studies human societies, their interactions, and the
processes that preserve and change them 1. It examines the dynamics of constituent
parts of societies such as institutions, communities, populations, and gender, racial, or
age groups. It also studies social status or stratification, social movements, and social
change, as well as societal disorder in the form of crime, deviance, and revolution 1.
Sociology is a broad field that overlaps with other social sciences such as economics,
political science, psychology, geography, education, and law 1. Its distinguishing
feature is its practice of drawing on a larger societal context to explain social
phenomena.

SOCIETY
- Society is a term used to describe a group of people who live together in an organized
way, making decisions about how to do things and sharing the work that needs to be
done. It can also refer to the community of people living in a particular country or
region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations. Society can also be used
to describe a specified section of a community, an organization or club formed for a
particular purpose or activity, or the situation of being in the company of other people.
SOCIALIZATION
 Republic of the Philippines
PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY
(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-
1683
Graduate School
- Socialization is a term used to describe the process of learning to behave in a way that
is acceptable to society. It can also refer to the activity of mixing socially with others.
Socialization is important because it helps individuals acquire the values, habits, and
attitudes of a society through education and training. It also helps individuals function
well in society and, in turn, helps society run smoothly.

DISCUSSION:
STRONG POINTS

The Sociological Foundation of Education has several strong points:

1. Addressing Societal Issues: The learning curriculum is created not only to

educate students but also to address societal issues and concerns. This ensures that
students are trained enough to face the real world and know how to handle real-life
problems.
2. Promoting Social Efficiency: The sociological foundations of education focus
on the social structure and study of human connections that contribute to the growth and
development of the student as a socially efficient individual.
3. Encouraging Unity and Diversity: The design of the current education
includes the resolution of conflict and unification amidst distinction. The sociological
foundations provide input on what should be learned, exercised, and applied by the
students for them to become well-equipped in social adjustments such as the emergence
of diverse heritage, culture, and acceptance of liberation.
4. Highlighting Human Conditions: Sociological foundations are essential in the
educational curriculum because they highlight human conditions and seek intervention
to resolve societal problems.
5. Improving Education: Social Foundations inquiry helps to sharpen students’
capacities to understand, analyze, and explain educational issues, policies, and practices
to improve education.
 Republic of the Philippines
PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY
(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-
1683
Graduate School
6. Understanding Inequality: Sociologists disaggregate processes within
education to examine empirically and theoretically the various levels at which they
operate. This allows them to describe and make sense of the ways that relations of
inequality are developed, reproduced, or unsettled and how these shape individual and
group experiences and outcomes.

WEAK POINTS
The Sociological Foundation of Education, while crucial in understanding the relationship
between society and education, does have some weaknesses:

1. Dominant Worldviews: Educational institutions and school curricula are often

products of the dominant worldviews, beliefs, and values of the majority. This can lead
to educational experiences that marginalize and disadvantage those in the minority in
terms of race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability, among other things.

2. Urban and Rural Divide: Rapid scientific developments, industrialization, and

technological advancements can disturb both urban and rural patterns of living. The
sociological foundation of education needs to adapt and reconstruct to these changes.

3. Changing Family Structures: The rise in separation, divorce, single-parent families,

and single-child families can impact the sociological foundation of education.
Additionally, better transportation and communication facilities often result in parents
working in different cities or having jobs that demand frequent outstation trips. These
changes in family structures and dynamics can pose challenges to the sociological
foundation of education.

These points highlight the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation of the sociological
foundation of education to ensure it remains relevant and effective in addressing evolving
societal issues and concerns.

SUMMARY:
The Sociological Foundation of Education refers to the influence of society on the
educational system. It emphasizes the relationship between society and education, and how
societal issues and concerns are addressed in the curriculum.

The learning curriculum is designed not only to educate students but also to tackle
societal issues. This ensures that students are prepared to face real-world problems and interact
with diverse individuals. The sociological foundations of education focus on the social structure
and the study of human connections that contribute to the growth and development of the
 Republic of the Philippines
PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY
(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-
1683
Graduate School
student as a socially efficient individual.

The design of the current education includes the resolution of conflict and unification
amidst distinction. The sociological foundations provide input on what should be learned,
exercised, and applied by the students for them to become well-equipped in social adjustments
such as the emergence of diverse heritage, culture, and acceptance of liberation.

Sociology, as defined by French philosopher Auguste Comte, is the study of man and
his environment in their relation with each other. Education, as a social institution, plays a vital
role in our society. It performs the function of socializing the individual for a variety of social
roles and the development of personality.

RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the strengths and weaknesses of the Sociological Foundation of Education, here are
some recommendations:
1. Inclusive Curriculum: To address the issue of dominant worldviews, educational
institutions should strive to create a curriculum that is inclusive and representative of
diverse cultures, races, genders, and abilities. This can help to ensure that all students
feel valued and included in the learning process.
2. Rural-Urban Balance: To bridge the urban-rural divide, educational policies should
be designed to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students, regardless
of their geographical location. This could involve investing in infrastructure, teacher
training, and resources in rural areas.
3. Family Engagement: Given the changing family structures, schools should aim to
engage families in the educational process. This could involve regular communication
with parents, involving them in school activities, and providing support for families
dealing with separation, divorce, or single parenthood.
4. Continuous Evaluation: The sociological foundation of education should be
continuously evaluated and updated to reflect societal changes and advancements.
This will ensure that the education system remains relevant and effective in
addressing societal issues and concerns.
5. Promote Critical Thinking: Encourage students to think critically about societal
issues and their role in addressing them. This can be achieved by incorporating
problem-solving activities and discussions on current events into the curriculum.
6. Address Inequality: Schools should actively work to address inequality within the
education system. This could involve implementing policies aimed at reducing
disparities in educational outcomes among different student groups.
 Republic of the Philippines
PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY
(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-
1683
Graduate School

REPORTER: KRIS C. NEYRA

MAED-EA