Examining Education Sociologically

University of the People

SOC 1502: Introduction to Sociology

Dr. Melissa Child, Instructor

October 17, 2024

 Examining Education Sociologically

Social structures and individual characteristics are shaped by education, which is a

vital institution in society. Numerous sociological vantage points offer distinct observations

into the roles, functions, and disparities that exist within educational institutions. With a focus

on social structure and change, this paper will examine education from the perspectives of

conflict theory and functionalism, examining their core ideas and points of view on

education.

Education is essential to socialization because it gives people the values, information,

and abilities they need to engage with society. It preserves societal cohesiveness and stability

by passing down cultural norms and information to future generations. In addition, education

gives people the chance to progress economically and move up the social ladder, both of

which are essential for individual and societal growth. However, there are differences in

access to education depending on several variables, including gender, ethnicity, and

socioeconomic background.

Functionalism

Functionalists argue that education is a crucial social institution that fulfills societal

needs and maintains stability (Nickerson, 2024). They view education as a system that

transmits cultural values and knowledge, contributing to socialization and maintaining social

order. Education is essential for the socialization of individuals and the integration of diverse

groups into a cohesive society. Key proponents like Emile Durkheim emphasize the manifest

functions of education, including the transmission of knowledge, socialization, and

preparation for future workforce roles. Education contributes to a complex, interdependent

system that maintains social order (Secena, n.d.).

Socialization, social integration, and job preparation are among the essential roles of

education that are highlighted by functionalists. Social cohesiveness and a sense of belonging
among people from different origins are fostered by the instillation of cultural values and

standards. Social cohesiveness is promoted by education, which instills cultural values and

conventions in people. Students learn about civic duties, moral principles, and societal

expectations at school (Cohen, 2006). Additionally, education gives people the information

and abilities they need for the labor market. Through higher education and vocational

training, education also contributes to economic production by guaranteeing a trained labor

force (Cohen, 2006).

The functionalist perspective holds that education promotes stability, social order, and

progress and is a positive influence on society (Nickerson, 2024). It views teachers as vital

role models who shape students' behavior, attitudes, discipline, teamwork, and respect inside

the classroom. It is widely believed that educators are vital to maintaining the educational

system, ensuring its effectiveness, and promoting the development of informed individuals

capable of upholding democratic values and contributing to their communities.

The importance of extracurricular activities like sports and clubs is an illustration of

functionalism in education. The collaboration, discipline, and leadership abilities that these

programs foster are critical for a person to operate well in society. While organizations can

help different groups feel like they belong and form a community, sports participation teaches

children the value of teamwork and goal-setting. To better prepare students for their future

responsibilities in the workforce and society, schools frequently employ these activities to

help students enhance their social skills and emotional intelligence. The view that education

is essential to preserving social order and cohesiveness is reinforced by this component of

education, which shows how schools not only prioritize academic accomplishment but also

support students' total social development.

Functionalism places a strong emphasis on how education helps to foster social

cohesiveness and order by helping pupils develop common values, norms, and beliefs
(Karlyna, 2019). Positive benefits including skill development, social mobility, and economic

output are highlighted. Functionalism acknowledges a variety of purposes outside of

education, including socialization, cultural transmission, and role preparation (Karlyna,

2019). It can help with educational changes that address problems like inequality and

resource availability to improve social results. However, it could ignore power dynamics in

educational systems as well as structural disparities like socioeconomic class, gender, and

race inside educational institutions. Additionally, functionalism may encourage the status quo

and stifle critical analysis of social inequities in the educational system (Karlyna, 2019).

Functionalism may also hinder its capacity to take into consideration education's potential to

be a catalyst for social change since it may serve to promote social stratification by training

people for professions that fit into preexisting power systems.

Feminist Theory

Feminist theory holds that education legitimizes the oppression of women and girls

and promotes patriarchal ideals. It highlights how gender affects experiences and results

while criticizing the educational system. It demands that educational practices become more

inclusive and address institutional prejudices and inequality (Nkansah, 2023) Understanding

gender inequalities in schooling, gender socialization, and the possibility that boys may find

the system simpler is made easier by feminist theory (Nkansah, 2023).

Gender is a crucial social construct that impacts people's identities, opportunities, and

experiences, according to feminist theory. Gender socialization, picking up and internalizing

gender-related cultural norms, and patriarchy, or analyzing how patriarchal systems sustain

gender disparity in society and education, are important ideas (Cislaghi & Heise, 2019). It

also highlights how crucial it is to take intersectionality into account to completely

comprehend the nuances of gender disparity in education. Intersectionality is the experience

of people with various intersecting identities that affect their educational experiences, such as

race, class, and sexuality.

Feminist theory advocates for an approach that challenges established gender norms

and stereotypes while criticizing the existing educational system for its role in maintaining

gender inequity. Education is seen as an instrument of empowerment, giving people the

know-how to confront systems of oppression. When it comes to influencing students'

educational experiences and gender attitudes, teachers are extremely important. To combat

stereotypes and advance fairness, feminist theory advocates for thoughtful, inclusive teaching

methods. Furthermore, it promotes educational approaches that subvert gender stereotypes,

such as encouraging males to take up hobbies that go against conventional ideas of

masculinity and pushing girls to pursue careers in STEM sectors.

Using a gender-sensitive curriculum that emphasizes the accomplishments of women

and other oppressed groups in history, literature, and science is one way to demonstrate

feminist theory in the classroom (Usmani et al., 2024). For example, including writings by

female scientists or authors in the curriculum might provide pupils with a variety of role

models and counter the narratives that are typically male-centric in traditional education.

Feminist education also promotes group discussion and learning, allowing students to address

social justice and gender inequity (Usmani et al., 2024).

Education's importance in advancing social justice and strengthening underprivileged

communities is highlighted by feminist theory. In addition to challenging structural injustices

in educational institutions, it promotes gender equity. It is possible to comprehend how

identities influence educational experiences in a more complex way because intersectionality

is acknowledged by feminist theory (Kuteesa et al., 2024). The feminist theory promotes a

critical analysis of curriculum and teaching methods that incorporate a variety of viewpoints

by questioning conventional narratives (Kuteesa et al., 2024). However, it has drawbacks as

well, such as the possibility of gender overemphasis, institutional reluctance to change, and

the difficulty of integrating a variety of viewpoints into the curriculum. A heavy emphasis on

gender, according to critics, may obscure other variables affecting educational experiences,

such as class, race, and socioeconomic position. To advance gender parity and dispel

preconceptions in the classroom, these difficulties must be balanced (Kuteesa et al., 2024).

In summary, functionalism and feminist theory both offer insightful perspectives on

the roles, purposes, and disparities of the educational system. Functionalism places a strong

emphasis on the role that education plays in fostering social cohesiveness and stability,

whereas feminist theory criticizes the patriarchal systems that support gender inequality. A

more thorough knowledge of education may be attained by combining different viewpoints,

underscoring the necessity of changes that deal with structural injustices and advance social

justice. In the end, creating an inclusive learning environment is essential to empowering

people and guaranteeing that everyone has fair access to possibilities.

 References

Cislaghi, B., & Heise, L. (2019). Gender norms and social norms: differences, similarities

and why they matter in prevention science. Sociology of Health & Illness, 42(2), 407–

422. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13008

Cohen, J. (2006). Social, Emotional, Ethical, and Academic Education: Creating a Climate

for Learning, Participation in Democracy, and Well-Being. Harvard Educational

Review, 76(2), 201–237. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.76.2.j44854x1524644vn

Karlyna. (2019, January 4). Strengths and Weaknesses of Functionalism Theory. Grades

Fixer. Retrieved from. https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/strength-and-

weakness-of-functionalism-theory/

Kuteesa, N. K. N., Akpuokwe, N. C. U., & Udeh, N. C. A. (2024). GENDER EQUITY IN

EDUCATION: ADDRESSING CHALLENGES AND PROMOTING

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT. International Journal of

Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(4), 631–641.

https://doi.org/10.51594/ijarss.v6i4.1034

Nickerson, C. (2024, February 13). Functionalist Perspective on Education. Simply

Psychology. Retrieved from. https://www.simplypsychology.org/functionalist-

perspective-education.html

Nkansah, J. N. (2023). Using Feminist Theory as a Lens in Educational Research. 13. 1-7.

10.30845/aijcr.v13n1p1.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372244591_Using_Feminist_Theory_as_a_

Lens_in_Educational_Research

Usmani, S., Hussein, E., Kottaparamban, M. & Hadi, S. (2024). Role of Feminist Theories in

Addressing Issues of Gender Diversity. Kurdish Studies. 11. 439-452.

10.58262/ks.v11i1.032.
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377308196_Role_of_Feminist_Theories_in

_Addressing_Issues_of_Gender_Diversity

Seneca. (n.d.). The Functionalist Approach. Retrieved from. https://senecalearning.com/en-

GB/revision-notes/gcse/sociology/aqa/3-1-1-the-functionalist-approach