education 20 mark essay

Item B

Functionalist and marxist sociologists are interested in similar aspects of the role of te education system. Eg they both examine the relationship between education and work. Both perspectives also look at how norms and values are transmitted through education. However, while marxists and functionalists focus on similar issues they both reach very different conclusions about the role of education.

Applying material from Item B and your own knowledge evaluate the view that 'while Marxist and Functionalist approaches focus on similar issues they reach very different conclusions about the role of education.'  (20 marks)

Marxists believe that education exists to reinforce the existing social class inequalities as well as preparing pupils for work life later on. However functionalists believe education exists in order to socialise people into similar norms and values creating social cohesion, as well as teaching…