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A 3 page research paper that discusses the Functionalist view of education. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
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3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khfued.rtf
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social world," but also on the precept that an analogy can formulated between the "individual organism and society" (McClelland, 2000). Functionalists perceive the nature of the social world as being
observable, and, therefore, recordable in terms of such methodology as "social surveys and interviews" (McClelland, 2000). Many of the precepts of Functionalist philosophy are derived from the work of
Emile Durkheim, who was one of sociologys founding fathers. Basically, Functionalists, as the name implies, perceive societal structures and institutions in terms of the functions that perform within those societies.
Primarily Functional theorists perceive education in terms of its intended goals and purposes, which that this is an institution "charged with the differentiation...and selection of individuals into adult (work-related)
roles" (Livesey, 2008). In other words, through education, people are trained to fulfill the functions of the roles that they will undertake as adults. According to Structural Functionalism, "school is
essential to society" because "it sorts and sifts above average students from average and below average students" (Goldsmith, 2008). This function ensures that the most intelligent, most talented individuals will
be at the top of the "socio-economic status system" (Goldsmith, 2008). Another aspect of the function of the school system as a
means of indoctrinating children and young people with the values that constitute the norm of their society. For Functionalists, the focus is on achieving social consensus, which involves "shared norms,
values, beliefs and so forth" (Livesey, 2008). In this perspective, society is perceived in terms of a "functioning system that operates for the ultimate benefit of all" (Livesey, 2008). Durkheim
discussed a variety of concepts that he perceived as applying to the role of education that were later further elaborated upon by Parsons, another famous name in the history of
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