Fucntionalism Theory

By: Aireen Olinda

Functionalism
Is a sociological paradigm that focuses
on the ways in which social institutions
fill social needs to maintain social
stability.
Functionalists see society as being structured
like a human body with many interrelated
parts that function together to maintain a
healthy whole. So as a body has a heart,
lungs, liver etc, society has Education, the
Family, and the Economy.
Therefore to understand the education
system we must consider how it functions
to contribute to the healthy maintenance of
the whole social system.
• Functionalists argue that for a healthy
society, individuals must obey society's
norms and values.
• We are socialized into these 'normative
behavior's that are the core of the social
structure.
• Society need to transmit social solidarity
and value consensus through education
plays a vital role in this.
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), founder of
Functionalist perspective argued that the
main function of education is the
transmission of society's norms and values
in three mains areas:
1. SOCIAL SOLIDARITY - For example the teaching
of history provides social continuity.
2. SOCIAL RULES - At school we learn to co-operate
with strangers and to be self-disciplined.
3. DIVISION OF LABOUR - Education teaches
individual skills necessary for future occupations.
This is a most important function in advanced
industrial society with its complex division of labor.
Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) argued that
Education is like a BRIDGE between the
family and wider society - preparing us for our
adult roles in society.
The family is the PRIMARY agent of
SOCIALISATION - : “It is because the human
personality is not "born" but must be "made"
through the socialization process that in the first
instance families are necessary. They are factories
which produce human personalities” (Parsons,
1955: 16)
Education is the main SECONDARY agent of
SOCIALISATION- In advanced industrial society we are
judged in terms of ACHIEVED status and universalistic
values. That is to say we are judged in terms of what we
achieve and schools prepare us for this. At school our
conduct is measured against the universal school rules and
our status is achieved through examination.
For Parsons schools operate on meritocratic principles.
This means that everyone is treated in the same way
and that everyone has the same chances to succeed.
Therefore those that achieve the most in school do so on
merit. For Parsons Ability + Effort = Merit.
Schools operate on this principle and reward the most
ability and those who try hardest with exam success.
This is important as it ensures that these best people will
fill the most important jobs in society.
Therefore schools ensure that the best people will perform
the most important jobs - and this will benefit society as a
whole.
Parson’s Assumptions
Schools Reinforce
a) The value of achievement
- by rewarding those who achieve through exam success.
b) The value of equality of opportunity
- by offering everyone an equal chance to
succeed.
c) Role allocation by testing and evaluating students, schools
match the students' talents and capacities to the jobs they are best
suited for.