Describe the functionalist perspective on education and explain the societal importance of manifest functions fulfilled by this social institution

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Functionalists view education as one of the most important components of society. According to sociologist Emile Durkheim, education is crucial for promoting social solidarity and stability in society. Durkheim also asserted that moral education is very important because it conveys moral values—the foundation of a cohesive social order. According to sociologist Amitai Etzioni, "shared" values should be transmitted by schools from kindergarten through college. 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 six 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? and (5) Change and innovation—schools introduce new programs to meet societal needs as student population changes over time.