Education in America Has Several Functions
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Education in America has several functions. One of the primary functions is to create good and effective citizens (Lauer & Lauer, 2006, p 314). Many believe that the education system in America should produce citizens who accept & values and protect the American way of life (Lauer & Lauer, 2006, p 314). Education is successful in producing good and effective citizens when it transmits culture from one generation to the next, or &socializes the young into the basic values, beliefs, and customs of the society (Lauer & Lauer, 2006, p 314). Education in America also functions to instruct the young in knowledge and skills, and &liberate the bonds of ignorance and prepares them to maximize their intellectual, emotional, and social development (Lauer & Lauer, 2006, p 315).
By creating good and effective citizens, transmitting culture from one generation to the next, socializing the young, and instructing the young in knowledge and skills, the functions of the institution of education can affect society as a whole. The practice of sociology and studying how a certain institution such as education can affect society involves the use of sociological theories. A sociological theory is & set of statements that explain the relationship among phenomena (Sullivan, 2007, p 12). Theories have two parts. One part is a variable, or & property or characteristic of something that can take on different values (Sullivan, 2007, p 12). The other part is a hypothesis, which is & tentative statement that can be tested regarding relationships between two or more variables (Sullivan, 2007, p 12). Sociological theories are used to provide some & fundamental assumptions about the nature and operation of society and commonly serve as sources of the more specific theories (Sullivan, 2007, p 13). Viewing education through these sociological theories, specifically the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist sociological perspective effects how the individuals involved view the education institution, as well as how the institution of education approaches social change and the different views of society. Each theory – functionalist, conflict, and interactonist respectively – creates a different set of circumstances in which the institution of education is viewed.
The functionalist, conflict, and interactionist sociological theories are very different, and it is important to understand the foundation of these theories and their basic premises in order to understand how they can effect education and society. The functionalist perspective compares the workings of biological organisms to the working and interaction of society. In biological organisms, such as humans, there are many different parts that work together for the good of the whole and perform a particular function. These parts are all interrelated and independent “if one of them cease to perform its function, the effective operation of the whole body is threatened (Sullivan, 2007, p 13). According to the functionalist perspective, society operates very similarly to the human body. In this theory & society is a system made up of a number of interrelated and independent elements, each performing a function that contributes to the operation of the whole (Sullivan, 2007, p 13)?
Some examples of the organs& or different parts of society include institutions such as the family, education, and the economy. Each of these parts has their own specific function or role in society. These institutions could not survive without each other in society. The Functionalists argue that, social systems are characterized by stability and a tendency toward equilibrium “a state of balance in which the relationships among various parts of the system remain the same (Sullivan, 2007, p 14). According to this theory, all parts of society work together in agreement to provide the things that are essential to maintain society.
Considering the institution of education, according to the functionalist perspective, education performs a variety of functions essential to the effective operation of society, much like the organs in the human body and the fundamental institutions that make up society as a whole. The schools that make up part of the education institution are essential in passing on culture and skills from generation to generation. Schools supplement the family by passing on to youngsters important elements of their culture, particularly the values, norms, and skills that they will need to function in society. These include not only learning how to read and write but also learning a societys history and values (Sullivan, 2007, p 363). Children in school learn about American history and culture which enable them to become better citizens of the country. These children are taught about patriotism by learning this history and being encouraged to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Additionally, students are taught socially correct behavior, personal habits, and essential skills in school to fulfill occupational requirements regardless of that occupation. This has become increasing important in todays society where technology has become more prevalent. Many industries are calling for a more educated workforce. Organizations are struggling to find skilled workers in every one of their manufacturing operations in nearly every operations-level position (Katz, 2008). In order to address this shortage of skills and knowledge necessary to perform in a more industrial society, schools are providing current and future workers with the tools to be successful in a more advanced manufacturing environment (Katz, 2008). In transmitting cultural information and necessary skills, schools provide stability to existing social arrangements (Sullivan, 2007, p 364).
Schools also exist in the functional perspective as a social network for the young. Schools enable the young students to develop a peer culture in which they can gain status by being popular, dressing fashionable or excelling in sports (Sullivan, 2007, P 2007). In this way, students can develop a social network, which is essential for the learning of socially acceptable behavior social skills. Some schools now advocated a student social network in which safe; social networking environment, as well as various teaching and learning tools for students, parents, and teachers exists (Nagel, 2008). The social network that exists in schools is essential, and empowers students with responsibilities for self-directed learning, a critical piece of the puzzle for 21st century learning (Nagel, 2008).
Functionalists consider the educational institution as a catalyst for innovation and change. Educational institutions not only transmit knowledge to the young, but also create new knowledge and modify existing knowledge. This process can in turn result in new technologies