Parsons - social institutions socialise us into key values of society, promoting value consensus. Some norms and values are given sacred quality which governs social behaviour, creating social order and stability. They incourage social solidarity and social intergration. Parsons - Family is a 'personality factory'. It is the parents job to mould the child and teach the culture to the child without thinking. The child then feels a sense of belonging.
Warm bath theory - women provide care, love, support, etc to children and the husband as a support for their 'breadwinner' role.
Education: Functionalists see education as preparing people for adult society. They beleive in meritocracy. It passes on shared values to create conformity and consensus. The formal curriculum might teach students about the past of their society, so that they have a better understanding and feel a greater sense of belonging. The hidden curriculum teaches us Ns+Vs outside of the family. We learn skills needed for the workforce.
Religion: Durkheim says that religion is a major factor as it creates value consensus through certain values with sacred quality. Shared beliefs unite society. Sacred values become moral codes, which regulate our behaviour. For example - the ten commandments.
Media - Most significant today (especially for younger people). Used as a guide to make sense of the world. Provides us with role models and designs for life. Films and TV shows have key themes which transmit key values.
Functionalists say that society benefits from socialisation. Durkheim uses the 'organic analogy' to compare the vital organs to agents of socialisation. Without it society would fail.
Comments
No comments have yet been made