Critically evaluate the functionalist perspective on education

The key ideas of the functionalist perspective is that society is made up of parts which support the system as a whole and that changes in one part of society (such as the family) changes other parts of society (such as education). For instance if we start having less children then the education system will be effected.

The focus of the functionalist perspective is on how a part contributes to the survival of the whole. The key to functionalist thought is that society is characterised by order and stability. Functionalist tends to be conservative in their outlook arguing that widespread social change can be very destructive for social systems. For instance in the industrial revolution in Western countries urbanisation and demographic movements led to high crime levels, increased suicide, and changing social relationships based on relations between strangers.

Functionalism emerged through the work of Comte, Durkheim, and Spencer. These early social theorists experienced the social changes in the 1800s.

The functionalist perspective has often been termed the sunshine perspective. This is because it takes a pro-soc

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