Identify the manifest and latent functions of education and apply a functionalist perspective to U.S. education. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this perspective.
What will be an ideal response?
Ans: Manifest, or intended, functions include transmission of general knowledge and specific skills needed in society and the economy, such as literacy. Latent, or unintended, functions include propagation of societal norms and values. Keep children occupied while parents work and contribute to economy. Peer socialization and reinforcement of gender norms. Critique: overstates degree to which schools prepare people for society while ignoring schools’ contribution to reproducing social inequality. Schools function to reproduce the existing class system. May undermine authority by promoting critical approach to dominant ideas.
KEY: Learning Objective: 12.1: Describe the historical and contemporary roles of education in society.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: The Functionalist Perspective
Difficulty Level: Medium
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