In this study note we explore Durkheim's perspective on education. Show Watch this revision video on Durkheim and Education OVERVIEW Durkheim argues the education system provides what he terms secondary socialisation as opposed to the primary socialisation which is delivered by the family. While the family passes on particular norms and values, secondary socialisation passes on universal norms and values that are shared by broader society. This helps individuals to become fully-functional, normal members of society and this in term helps society because people know how to behave. The term norms refers to behaviour and attitudes which are considered normal, while values are those things that people consider important to them. Functionalists believe that all members of society are socialised into these norms and values, first through the family and later through institutions such as education, the media and religion. It is in this secondary socialisation that people learn universalistic values rather than just those values particular to their own family or community. Durkheim thought education increasingly had to perform this role in a modern industrial society. In agrarian societies, it was important to have a shared set of norms and values as a community. This fostered solidarity, but it was what Durkheim termed mechanical solidarity: people had face-to-face contact with each other and had very little contact – socially or economically – with people in other parts of the country or the world. In this sort of society, the family can provide most of the socialisation. This is one reason why education is perceived as a key function of the family. However, in a more complex, large-scale society (one based on organic solidarity rather than mechanical solidarity) it is necessary to learn the shared values of broader society. For this reason, a more organised education system is required. Furthermore, the nature of an industrial society, means people have to learn certain skills in order to function in that society and to perform specific economic roles. There are common pieces of knowledge that everyone should have, but there are also specific competencies that different people require in order to play their part in a complex industrial society based on a division of labour. For Durkheim, the education system performs the secondary socialisation role by:
Evaluating Durkheim on education
FURTHER READING ON DURKHEIM AND EDUCATIONREVISION AIDS ON EDUCATION (AQA)Essential Revision Resources for EducationWhat is social theory in education?Simply put, social learning theory is the idea that children learn from observing others. This learning can be acted on, a child sees a sibling politely ask for a treat and get one, or not acted on, a teenager hears a friend talking picking a lock and they learn something new, but don't try it themselves.
What is functionalism theory in education?The functionalist theory of education focuses on how education serves the needs of society through development of skills, encouraging social cohesion and sorting of students. According to functionalists, the role of schools is to prepare students for participation in the institutions of society.
What is the theory of education?'Educational theory' is an overarching term that describes a collection of theories that explain the application, interpretation, and purpose of learning and education. 1. Theoretical concepts help to explain the learning process and have the potential to inform educational approaches, curricula, and assessments.
What are the main theories about the role of education?Today, sociologists and educators debate the function of education. Three main theories represent their views: the functionalist theory, the conflict theory, and the symbolic interactionist theory. The functionalist theory focuses on the ways that universal education serves the needs of society.
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