To him, education is a ‘focal socialising agency’ acting as a bridge between the family and the society. e.g. the workplace. Generally, both sides operate on different principles and the child is needed to adapt to the universalistic standards and norms that will enable them to cope in the wider society. Parsons concluded that school is based on meritocratic principles whereby everyone is given equal opportunity, and individuals achieve rewards through their own efforts and abilities.
I will refer to sources from Durkheim, Parsons, Davis & Moore, Althusser and Bowles & Gintis. Functionalists believe that education transmits society's norms and values and therefore promotes value consensus, with the educational and economic system working hand in hand to develop the skills required for the world of work. Emile Durkheim provides the basic framework of the functionalists view on the education system, agreeing with its function of transmitting norms and values. He believed that for society to operate effectively they have to develop a sense of belonging to something, becoming 'social beings' with a loyalty and commitment to society as a whole. The education system creates this effectively by teaching subjects such as history, which enables children to see the link between themselves and wider society.
Role of education Darcy Fletcher Functionalists believe education performs two contradictory functions , on one hand they believe that educations prepares children for their specialised role acquired to their skills and potential. So they can perform at the best they can at their role after education. On the contrary they believe society needs to share the same goals and outlook in order to co-operate. Functionalism is based on the view that society is a system of interdependant parts which is held together by value consensus. Durkheim argued that society has to feel a sense of social solidarity , he believes that without this form of social cohesion , society would be impossible because each person would pursue their own ‘ selfish’ desires.
For example they look at what education does for society as a whole not just certain people in society. Functionalists also believe that society is based on consensus, i.e. we are all socialised to agree on norms and values. Functionalists believe that each part of society has a function to make sure that society runs smoothly and everything stays in harmony. For example education has a function to make sure people are educated and conform to works place norms.
Outline the functionalist perspective on the role of education Sociological functionalist have identified education as a crucial part of the socialisation process as it transmits and reinforces society’s norms and values, prepares children for adult roles and selects young people in terms of their abilities for crucial roles. This essay outlines Durkheim’s, Parsons and Davis and Moore’s perspective on how education creates an impact on the structure of society. Durkheim’s perspective on the role that education had on society was that it shapes an individual and prepares them for the ‘real world’; beyond their comfort zone. He argued that, in complex industrial societies, schools serve a function which cannot be provided by the individuals’ family nor their peer group. For us, school is a miniature version of society as it provides us with skills that we need once we enter work or when starting a family also, the experience prepares us for interacting with members of society and the rules that society has.
In order to gain a better understanding of how an individual can attain educational success, one has to examine other social constructs such as class, race and gender. This essay aims to discuss the theory of cultural capital in determining an individual’s chances of obtaining education success by reference to the notions of race, class and gender. Education is a type of socialisation, and institutions such as schools and universities play a key role in the socialisation process. Through socialisation, individuals learn and internalise knowledge, values, norms and other aspects of culture, which would prepare them for their roles in the society (Thirumaran, 2014). However, many individuals possess cultural capital before they even begin their educational journey.
This ensures that the individual young person who is in our care is placed at the centre. The team should share a common purpose and vision to improve the young person’s life. Effective partnership working involves many features including * Trust * Empathy * Respect for the skills and contribution of colleagues * Communication * Effective listening skills * Realistic expectations * Clear objectives * Honesty * Working to agreed practices * Maintenance of balance between task and relationship orientation There are various theories relating to effective partnership working. These include areas such as
Culture as a concept is important to sociologists because it holds a society together. Rules, laws and morals guide our behaviours and creates stability and order throughout societies. Morals come from religion and our parents: different kinds of morals differ between social groups. Subculture is a culture within a culture. It shares definite features in relation with the dominant culture, but it also has particular values, norms, attitudes and behaviours that is specific to it.
The functionalist perspective recognises that families perform vital functions for their members and for their society, to ensure stability and harmony in order to achieve social order (Giddens, 2009). Functionalists say that society is held together by social consensus, in which members of the society agree upon, and work together to achieve, what is best for society as a whole. Emile Durkheim suggested that social consensus takes one of two forms, one of which is Mechanical Solidarity – the sense of togetherness within a society
Personal responsibility, as it relates to academics is the taking charge of one’s own learning. Personal responsibility recognizes the importance of completing assignments on time, studying for tests, and performing to the best of one’s ability. I accept responsibility for my own education and I am an active participant. Having a positive sense of responsibility will increase my chance of academic success. The most important ways to improve academic success is to focus on improving the areas of my personal responsibility.