essay question sociology - education

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Is the education system based on merit? (25)

According to Durkhiem (Functionalist), school provides a positive function, he states that education is important to create social solidarity, in socializing individuals, and it trains people for their future occupation. David Hargreaves on the other hand was influenced by Durkhiem and argued that modern schools focus too much on developing the individual and less on the duties the student should towards the school and the group. He argues children who do no perform well in their exams lose dignity, feel disintegrated and form anti-school subcultures. He recommends allowing students to study those fields in which they have an interest in, existence of some compulsory subjects and extra curricular activities.

Talcott Parsons (functionalist) states that family teaches a child particularistic values (child will be treated differently) whereas school teaches universalistic values(equally treated). He states that school and rest of the society are based on 'Merit', because the rest of the society is also based on merit the society prepares the child to enter the adult world for example exams. He also goes on to argue that schools are important in creating  value consensus, schools teach students two important values; values of achievement- this is achieved as students are encouraged to do well, those who do well get rewarded. The value of equal opportunity is given when all students are made to sit in one class and give the same exam. Talent varies from person to person. All students strive to work hard and do well. Those who succeed are rewarded, and those who do not succeed realize that it is still just and alright as they had an equal opportunity. This is ho they explain differences in achievement.

This does not apply solely to schools. This applies in society at large as well(example you are talented and hard working you will get a high status job).Schools are very important in role allocation as they help to select people for their future role in society and therefore depending on the persons talent that individual will be designated a particular job.

Davis and Moore state that education determines your class. If you are talented and hardworking then you will be given the most important positions in society. Your incentive is that you will be rewarded for the work which you do. However, they have been crititsized over the fact that not all intelligent perform well in school and those who perform well in school may not find good jobs.

 So, according to the Functionalists education is based on merit, as everyone in the school is given an equal opportunity to show their ability by appearing for exams, each person is given a chance to show their talent, skill and hardwork,those who succeed are rewarded those who do not know well realize that its just

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Marx on the other hand state school socializes students for the interest of the upper class. It teaches the children those norms and values which benefit the upper class (they have ideological control) for example importance of being punctual, respectful to authority, disciple and expect rewards. Schools produce leaders and managers as well as workers, most people fall into this category because of their academic performances. Private schools produce students who in future control the most powerful economic and political positions.

Althuser states that working class students are taught the upper class ideology, and are not allowed to question. In ...

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