Explain the manifest and latent functions of education

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Sociologists using a functionalist framework distinguish between manifest functions and

latent functions. Manifest functions are open, stated, and intended goals or

consequences of activities within an institution. Education serves five major manifest

functions in society: (1) Socialization—schools teach students the student role, specific

academic subjects, and political socialization. (2) Transmission of culture—schools

transmit cultural norms and values to each new generation and play an active part in

the process of assimilation of recent immigrants. (3) Social control—schools are

responsible for teaching values such as discipline, respect, obedience, punctuality, and

perseverance. (4) Social placement—schools are responsible for identifying the most

qualified people to fill the positions available in society? students are channeled into

programs based on individual ability and academic achievement. (5) Change and

innovation—schools introduce new programs to meet societal needs as student

populations change over time. All social institutions have latent functions, which are

hidden, unstated, and sometime unintended consequences of activities within an

institution. Education serves at least three latent functions: (1) Restricting some

activities—early in the twentieth century, all states passed mandatory education laws

that require children to attend school until they reach a specified age (usually age

sixteen) or complete a minimum level of formal education (generally the eighth grade).

Out of these laws grew one latent function of education, which is to keep students off

the streets and out of the full-time job market for a number of years. (2) Matchmaking

and production of social networks—schools bring together people of similar ages, social

class, and race/ethnicity? young people often meet future marriage partners and

develop social networks that may last for many years. (3) Creation of generation gap

—students may learn information in school that contradicts beliefs held by their parents

or their religion.