Education and Socialisation
Sociology B - Education. Sociologists from various schools of thought would generally agree that socialisation plays an important part in shaping people and their roles in society, through institutions like the family, the education and consequently the workplace. Here, we will look specifically at the education system and the notion that schools serve to reinforce social class divisions. There have been many changes made to the structure of the education system throughout the past century. These include the 1944 Education act which made secondary education compulsory and was responsible for the introduction of the tri-partite system, the move to a comprehensive system of schools in the 1960´s, to the introduction of the National Curriculum in 1988. Official statistics would suggest that these measures have contributed to an increase in the overall levels of educational attainment (defined by attainment of qualifications), however, sociological evidence indicated that class-based inequalities in educational attainment have failed to show any decline. It appears that educational success generally rises with family income, many sociologists see material deprivation as the major cause of inequality in educational success. Halsey, Heath and Ridge (1980) examined the education careers of males, and found that those from higher social backgrounds were much more likely to stay
The Meiji Restoration
The Meiji Restoration Modern History Research Assignment Devotion To The National Cause The Meiji Restoration A little over a century ago, Japan stood alone, completely secluded from the outside world, virtually unaware of the enormous developments which had swept through the Western world. In 1853 however, this was all to change. With America determined to force Japan to open its doors, an utterly defenseless Japan, enraged by the unfair treaties imposed by the western nations, embarked on what Richie (1986, P.7) refers to as the 'Japanese miracle'. Over a period of fifty years, Japan had miraculously modernised in nearly all aspects of society, unleashing a sense of national dignity that only further fueled their strength of will to triumph over the west. By the early 1900's, Japan had successfully revolutionised into one of the most advanced and prosperous countries in the world, ultimately becoming what Cowie (1993, P.119) distinguishes as being the very first Asian nation to rank as an equal to the superpowers. This rapid and dramatic transformation, sparked by Western intervention, was arguably a result of the Japanese peoples' deep-seated beliefs in obedience, loyalty and national pride, which ultimately enabled them to embark on a drastic policy of institutional reformation, economic advancement and governmental restructuring. Consequently, Japan was rescued from
The Effectiveness of Outdoor Education provision.
The Effectiveness of Outdoor Education provision. For this assignment I am going to identify the principles and benefits that outdoor education has to offer. After taking the time to think about what a principle and a benefit is I have come to the conclusion that a principle is the ethnics and morals and a benefit is the outcome and something you gain such as a new skill or completion of a task. People provide outdoor education for many reasons. The principles of a national skills centre are as followed. > To increase the level of skills > To run courses > To train coaches further > To allow clients to gain qualifications The benefits of a national skills centre are as followed. > To learn new skills > To learn the benefits of outdoor education > To have fun The principles of outdoor educational centres are as followed > To build up teambuilding skills > To build confidence The benefits of outdoor educational centres are as followed. > To increase self esteem > To have a go at new things > To experience outdoor activities > To have fun Other benefits of outdoor education are your own personal development by learning new skills and to be able to manage various tasks out of the normal work place or environment. Outdoor education offers a sense of achievement and can also help with social behavioural problems and corporate development. My next part of this
Views on Human Nature and the Division of Labour
Views on Human Nature and the Division of Labour (Question #1) Margarita Banting Student Number: 43108026 FDNS 103.002 Seminar Group: U2C TA: Laura King October 31, 2002 Rousseau's, Smith's, and Marx's differing perspectives on human nature provides a basis for their reasoning on the division of labour. Rousseau believes that as man perfects his ability to reason concepts, the more corrupt he grows to be. With this belief, Rousseau reasons that man becomes corrupt when he creates the division of labour. Alternatively, Smith reasons that the division of labour exists because of man's instinct to "barter" (317). In contrast to Rousseau, he perceives the division of labour as advantageous to the economy. Lastly, Marx sees the division of labour between the proletarian and the bourgeois. Dependence, greed, and freedom are characteristics of human nature that allow the division of labour. The men seek an effective ideology that allows human error, and its vices to occur in society, without disrupting it. Rousseau argues that through the development of "education" and "habits", man has "been able to corrupt" himself (294). At the start of his progression, man's relationship with nature is simple and innocent; he is not yet aware of his ability to reason. But Rousseau notices that through time, man's abilities increase. Life, for him, becomes increasingly
Unemployment
The aim of this essay is to discuss the social consequences for both individuals and the communities in which they reside of prolonged period of unemployment. Unemployment is a word not so easily defined as many may consider the unemployed to be individuals not in employment, ill or undergoing full time education there are certain members of society who are not employed but do not have an interest in work, should these individuals be considered unemployed? A sociologist defines unemployment as ' a part of an economic idea, referring to those people who are theoretically in the labour market, that is potentially competing for jobs and thus affecting the price of labour, but who do not actually have jobs'(C.Crouch, 1999). During this essay I will examine the possible cause of unemployment, the individual and social consequence as a result of unemployment, and the potential for urban violence. In addition, people dispossessed due to unemployment and the effects on western nations such as USA and Europe. In order to fully understand unemployment we must consider the causes. In a modern mixed economy there are many factors that contribute to unemployment. Firstly, the development of new technology has contributed majorly to the increase of unemployment. 'Automation has removed the need for many unskilled and semi skilled manual jobs and many non manual jobs have also been hit'
Outline and assess the view that the main purpose of education is to encourage individual achievement whilst maintaining social solidarity.
Outline and assess the view that the main purpose of education is to encourage individual achievement whilst maintaining social solidarity. The above statement reflects the functionalist view of the purpose of education. The following essay will outline the functionalist perspective of the role of education and identify any criticisms made of it. Education is an agent of secondary socialisation. Writing at the turn of the last century the French sociologist Emile Durkheim saw the major function of education as the transmission of society's norms and values. He maintained: "Society can survive only if there exists among its members a sufficient degree of homogeneity; education perpetuates and reinforces this homogeneity by fixing in the child from the beginning the essential similarities which collective life demands" (Durkheim, 1961) -In other words education provides the norms and collective vales for children that are needed in society. Durkheim argues that in complex industrial societies, the school serves a function that cannot be provided either by the family or the peer group. Individuals must learn to cooperate with those who are neither their kin nor their friends. The school provides a context where these skills can be learned. As such, it is society in miniature, a model of the society system-Schools are microcosms. In school, the child must interact with other
In What Ways Did Popular Culture and People’s Pastimes Divert the Working Class Away From Socialism?
IN WHAT WAYS DID POPULAR CULTURE AND PEOPLE'S PASTIMES DIVERT THE WORKING CLASS AWAY FROM SOCIALISM? Introduction A logical way to answer this question is to examine popular culture from the stance of the socialists themselves, who had their own views on how the popularity of the emerging leisure industry had a negative effect on the workers. Their general argument was that capitalism exploits its labourers and the leisure industry is just another form of capitalism. Not only the paying consumers were being exploited, but also the people employed by the leisure industry; the player on the pitch or the performer on the stage was no better off than the worker in the factory. The British socialist movements had only begun to emerge in the late 19th century, such as the Independent Labour Party and the Social Democratic Foundation, formed in the 1890's. This was at a time when commercial entertainment was booming, due to a combination of less working hours and more disposable income. Most major towns had football teams, for example, and music halls had become the entertainment of choice, keeping people occupied at least until the advent of cinema. Pubs were more popular than ever, and the ease of travel brought on by the development of railways meant that standardised holiday trips were sold as commodities. The entrepreneurs responsible for commercial entertainment in the mid
Describe and Discuss Gender Inequality in Contemporary Society with reference to the Labour Market
Describe And Discuss Gender Inequality In Contemporary Society With Reference To The Labour Market. Word Count 1570 Sex is what distinguishes men and women biologically, namely it describes the physical qualities which derive from variations in chromosomes, hormones and genitalia. Gender refers to a set of culturally defined characteristics which determine society's view of people as 'masculine' or 'feminine'. Sociologists have long debated over the causes of unfair sexual divisions of labour. Some have forwarded biological explanations, whereas others hold responsible the socialisation of gender roles. In this essay I will look at how the nineteenth century socialisation of gender roles is believed to have affected women's position in the labour market. I will then consider the increasing feminisation of the labour market and seek to explain the persistent inequalities between men and women. Up until the twentieth century, women were largely excluded from the labour market, partly because of the social construction of separate 'male' and 'female' spheres. Feminist Ann Oakley believes that the modern role of 'housewife' emerged in the early stages of industrialisation (Haralambos&Holborn, 2008, 108). Due to the norms and values of the time, supported by the functionalist Parsons, it was expected of the man to provide for the family, whilst the woman would tend to the home.
The Morality of Drug-Testing In the Workplace
The Morality of Drug-Testing In the Workplace The function of morals in society is more or less to distinguish between what is best for society as a whole, generally speaking, the way for the most people to be happy. Drugs in society are looked down upon, though widely used throughout civilization. More importantly, drugs are given a negative outlook especially when they put other innocent lives in danger. Drugs in the workplace create hazard upon hazard no matter what the job may be, however, people have the right to do whatever they want on their own free time, as long as it does not cause harm to others. This is where a moral dilemma is developed. Are the rights of others to have a safe working environment greater than the right to privacy? The morality of drug-testing is more than just a matter of drug-abuse in the workplace, as it presses the issue of an employees basic right to privacy as well as an employers right to getting the most out of each of their employees. Employers have the right to getting the most out of each worker and employees have the duty to protect society from any harm, financial, physical, or emotional. Therefore if employees must take drug tests to prove their ability, than drug testing should be morally and ethically acceptable. The 4th amendment guarantees citizens the right to privacy as long as what they do in their private lives
Critically examine the view that society is becoming Mcdonalized using relevant examples to illustrate your argument Many areas of society, such as shopping and travel, have changed dramatically in their structure
Critically examine the view that society is becoming Mcdonalized using relevant examples to illustrate your argument Many areas of society, such as shopping and travel, have changed dramatically in their structure and operation in recent few decades. Nowadays, for example, a huge supermarket such as ASDA is more commonplace than a small community greengrocer. I put these changes down to the Mcdonalization of society and the changing of our attitudes due to the effects of its 4 key components; efficiency, calculability, predictability and control. Mcdonalization is the process whereby society seems to take on the principles of the fast food restaurant. Therefore efficiency in industry and society is significant, doing things in the quickest way possible and making the best use (economically) of the resources availably with little or no waste. In McDonalds this is demonstrated by the production line effect, where one person fries burgers, one person puts them in a bun etc. The second component is Calculability, this is the emphasis on quantity rather than quality, demonstrated by Ritzer's quote (1996) "they sell the Big mac..Not the Good Mac". Predictability is another component; people do not like to be surprised, by unforeseeable circumstances. Ritzer (1996) notes that a Big Mac in one continent will taste the same in another, he also later indicates that society now