conflict theory v structural functionalism

#Conflict theory v structural functionalism how to

Latent FunctionsĮducation also fulfills latent functions.

A student might value business courses over a class in Victorian poetry because she sees business class as a stronger vehicle for financial success.

As a result, college students are often more motivated to study areas that they believe will be advantageous on the social ladder. College and graduate schools are viewed as vehicles for moving students closer to the careers that will give them the financial freedom and security they seek. This function is referred to as social placement. (Photo courtesy of Tulane Public Relations/flickr)Įducation also provides one of the major methods used by people for upward social mobility. The teacher’s authority in the classroom is a way in which education fulfills the manifest functions of social control. Fulfillment of this function rests primarily with classroom teachers and instructors who are with students all day. This function also prepares students to enter the workplace and the world at large, where they will continue to be subject to people who have authority over them. Obviously, such respect, given to teachers and administrators, will help a student navigate the school environment. One of the roles of schools is to teach students conformity to law and respect for authority. School systems in the United States also transmit the core values of the nation through manifest functions like social control. Today, since the culture of the United States is increasingly diverse, students may learn a variety of cultural norms, not only that of the dominant culture. In the early days of compulsory education, students learned the dominant culture. This socialization also involves learning the rules and norms of the society as a whole. Indeed, it seems that schools have taken on this responsibility in full.

#Conflict theory v structural functionalism how to

The French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858–1917), who established the academic discipline of sociology, characterized schools as “socialization agencies that teach children how to get along with others and prepare them for adult economic roles” (Durkheim 1898). Beginning in preschool and kindergarten, students are taught to practice various societal roles. There are several major manifest functions associated with education. They contend that education contributes two kinds of functions: manifest (or primary) functions, which are the intended and visible functions of education and latent (or secondary) functions, which are the hidden and unintended functions. Functionalists view education as one of the more important social institutions in a society.