What are the functionalist conflict and Interactionist perspectives on education?

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Topic: Education Words: 381 Pages: 1 Jan 20th, 2022

Sociology offers multiple theoretical perspectives on the problems of education in the United States. The three leading frameworks, functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, all have their advantages, allowing researchers to concentrate on different aspects of the educational system. Functionalism examines the social goals that education is supposed to pursue. Conflict theory focuses on how education reinforces inequality in society and how this inequality manifests in educational institutions. Feminist theory, which may be regarded as a version of conflict theory, emphasizes the role of education in fostering gender inequality (Barkan, 2017). Social interaction within educational institutions in the area of focus for the interactionist approach. The functional theory seems most effective because it examines the big picture of education while incorporating insights from other perspectives.

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The advantages of the functionalist perspective can be seen in the specific example of immigrant education. The main functions of education include teaching essential skills, passing on societal norms and values, helping students find their place in society, and fostering innovation (Barkan, 2017). Schooling for the children of immigrants emphasizes teaching English language skills and American values. From the conflict theory perspective, immigrant education tends to prepare immigrants for a subordinate position by depreciating their culture. Furthermore, it is of generally inferior quality and prepares them for lower-class jobs. In response, the functionalist theory can assume that expanding the working class and ensuring their cultural subordination are both logical societal goals. Alternately, if this situation does not benefit society, it may be regarded as a failure of the educational system to fulfill its function, necessitating reform. The interactionist approach tends to focus on smaller-scale dynamics, such as the interactions between children from different countries. It can illuminate the process through which the educational system attempts to perform its functions, such as socialization. Thus, all theoretical perspectives can be most effectively integrated within the functionalist framework.

Functionalist, interactionist, and conflict theories are invaluable tools for the study of the educational system. Despite their seeming ideological oppositions, those perspectives can complement each other with their focus on different aspects of the problem. Out of those three viewpoints, functionalism offers the most comprehensive perspective by focusing on the purpose of education within society. Ideas from both interactionism and conflict theory can be easily interpreted from within the functionalist framework.

References

Barkan, S. E. (2017). Social problems: Continuity and change. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

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Read this chapter for a review of education. As you read each section, consider the following topics:

  • Take note of the expectations and norms taught in American schools outside of the mandated curriculum. Can you identify any norms you've been taught through your schooling and education? How do they affect your actions and world view?
  • Identify the differences in educational resources around the world. On a separate piece of paper, take note of the concept of universal access to education.
  • Take note of the manifest and latent functions of education. Focus on how functionalism, conflict theory, feminism, and interactionism view issues of education.
  • Take note of historical and contemporary issues in education. How do sociologists typically view "No Child Left Behind", and why?

Summary

Education around the World

Educational systems around the world have many differences, though the same factors - including resources and money - affect every educational system. Educational distribution is a major issue in many nations, including in the United States, where the amount of money spent per student varies greatly by state. Education happens through both formal and informal systems; both foster cultural transmission. Universal access to education is a worldwide concern.

Theoretical Perspectives on Education

The major sociological theories offer insight into how we understand education. Functionalists view education as an important social institution that contributes both manifest and latent functions. Functionalists see education as serving the needs of society by preparing students for later roles, or functions, in society. Conflict theorists see schools as a means for perpetuating class, racial-ethnic, and gender inequalities. In the same vein, feminist theory focuses specifically on the mechanisms and roots of gender inequality in education. The theory of symbolic interactionism focuses on education as a means for labeling individuals.

Issues in Education

As schools continue to fill many roles in the lives of students, challenges arise. Historical issues include the racial desegregation of schools, marked by the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling. In today's diverse educational landscape, socioeconomic status and diversity remain at the heart of issues in education, with programs such as the Head Start program attempting to give students equal footing. Other educational issues that impact society include charter schools, teaching to the test, student loan debt, and homeschooling.

One hot topic is the Common Core State Standards, or the Common Core. The primary controversy over the Common Core, from the standpoint of teachers, parents and students, and even administrators, is not so much the standards themselves, but the assessment process and the high stakes involved

What is the functionalist and conflict perspective of education?

Functionalists claim that schools sort based upon merit; conflict theorists argue that schools sort along distinct class and ethnic lines. According to conflict theorists, schools train those in the working classes to accept their position as a lower‐class member of society.

What are the functionalist conflict and interactionist perspectives?

Functionalist theories dwell on the structures and institutions in society. Symbolic interaction theories, on the other hand, are based on the human interactions with the society, while the conflict theory is based on human interactions and attributes of competition and how they bring about conflict in the society.

What is interactionist perspective on education?

The symbolic interactionist perspective focuses on social interaction in the classroom, on school playgrounds, and at other school-related venues. Social interaction contributes to gender-role socialization, and teachers' expectations may affect their students' performance.

How is education or school viewed by the following functionalist interactionist conflict theorist?

Where functionalists see education as serving a beneficial role, conflict theorists view it more negatively. To them, educational systems preserve the status quo and push people of lower status into obedience, which keeps them socioeconomically disadvantaged.