sociology researchers on education

A list of researchers with different views on education.

Functionalists:
Emile Durkheim.
-The main function of education is to develop social solidarity ( social unity based on 'essential similarities' between members of the society), which is necessary for the survival of the society
-Specialised division of labour in industrial countries relies on the educational system.

Talcott Parsons.
-Educational system is the main agency of secondary socialisation.
-Education develops value consensus.
-One of the main functions of education is role allocation - evaluating young people in terms of their talents and abilities and preparing for future roles in wider society.

Marxists:

Karl Marx.
-Economic system shapes the rest of the society.
-Two classes: ruling and working, the former exploits the latter.

Althusser.
-Educational system is the main agency for ideological control, which at the same time is fundamental to social control.

Bowles and Gintis.
-Close correspondence between social relationships in a classroom and those in a workplace.
-Rewards in education and occupation based not on individual's ability but on a social background.
-Found that high-grade students are obedient, conforming, hard-working and dependable rather than creative, original and independent.

Wills.
-'Lads' (working class young men) rejected the school and created counter-school culture.

Mac an Ghaill.
- 'Macho lads' rejected teachers' authority and values of the school. However, working class jobs were disappearing, so their behaviour was outdated.

Rikowski.
- There is a beginning of a 'business takeover of schools', schools will be run for profit.

Feminists:

Stanworth.
-Provided the evidence that teachers gave boys more encouragement than girls to go to university. (1983)


Social-democratic:

-Stated that everyone should have an equal chance to succeed in the educational system.
-Argued that there is a link between education and economic growth.


Halsey.
-Social class has a significant effect on educational attainment.
-Educational system is not providing equa opportunity for all young people.
-Educational system reflects the requirement of the economic system.

Collins.
-Education makes little difference to the economic growth with the achievement of mass literacy. Companies provide their own training.

Brown.
-Economic and technological growths requires flexible workforce with a good general education rather than special vocational training (education which aims to provide specific workplace skills).


...to be continued....