Functionalist and Marxist Approaches to Education and Economy Essay

Functionalist and Marxist Approaches to Education and Economy Functionalist and Marxist perspectives differ considerably in the way they view the relationship between education and the economy. Both perspectives agree that the educational system provides society with certain functions, but they disagree about the purpose of these functions and more importantly who benefits from them. Functionalists see the educational system as providing a positive educational experience, which benefits the children and society. Whereas, Marxists claim that the system oppresses and harms people, and that it only benefits the powerful. Functionalists believe mass formal education is an essential part of industrial society, and that the expansion of industrial economies brings a corresponding expansion in the educational system. They also see the introduction of mass education in Britain during 1870, as a response to the increasing demand of industry, for a literate and numerate workforce. Many Functionalists, such as Durkheim, claim that education performs two central functions, which relate to social cohesion and the division of labor. Durkheim (1961 'Moral Education') argued that education transmits the norms and values of society to the next generation. It therefore reproduces social solidarity, which according to functionalism, is needed in order for society to exist. Durkheim offered an explanation of how social solidarity is reproduced by the educational system. He said that school creates a miniature model of society, where the child interacts and cooperates with other pupils whilst following a set of fixed rules. In this way, the ch... ...basic level, on some sort of conspiracy between employers and teachers. To conclude, the Functionalist perspective views education as a vital part of society, which turns pupils into model citizens and has a positive impact on the economy and society as a whole. Education also produces a diverse workforce, in a way that is fair to everyone, and it compliments the requirements of the economy perfectly. The Marxist perspective views education as a part of society that is vital for the ruling class, because it reproduces the unequal distribution of wealth and power, by turning working class pupils into conformist workers. It therefore sees education as an ideological tool, used by the upper classes to exploit the working classes. Ref: Haralambos and Holburn (2000) Sociology: Themes and Perspectives (fifth edition)