Compare And Contrast Marxism And Functionalism On Education

We look are homelessness and functionalism and  how on a macro leave how it affects homeless. We also look at the programs that available for people.        Explanations using sociology theory    The functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, is one of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology.   Edward Durkheim, was the regional person who was greatly interested in seeing how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable.

Structure functional theory views society as a whole, a complex system of integrated, interrelated parts working together to keep society balanced. Each section of society has a certain task to fulfill in order to meet the needs of society. Therefore, functionalists stress order and stability. If a part of society is dysfunctional the peace is disturbed and the system is weakened. Each social institution plays a major role to the function of society, family provides an environment of reproducing, nurturing, and entertaining the children, education paves a way to pass on knowledge and values to one’s child while, politics provide means of leading members of society.

It is also to highlight why functionalism becomes the dominant ideology when it comes to the structures in society. However, the word functionalism here is to be used in the Mertonian



Emile Durkheim developed a theory called functionalism, which explained how the individual and society were related and how society changed over time. According to functionalism, society is a system of interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium for the whole. Durkheim believed that society should be analyzed and described in terms of functions. Society is a system of interrelated parts where no one part can function without the other. These parts make up the entirety of society and therefore, if one part changes, society is impacted.

Karl Marx As both sociology perspectives also differ greatly and often contradict each other I will use the following questions (Used by O’Donnell) to explain the many differences between Functionalism and Marxism. (McDonald, 2006, p. 19) How is society constructed? Durkheim believed that society was made up of different institutions which worked harmoniously with each other to produce constancy and unity.

Looking at society as a whole with individual units that work together to make society function efficiently is the structural functionalism concept. Each unit has a part and is describe as institutions such as family, religion, education, politics, economy and inequality. Because structural functionalism looks at social structure and patterns of behavior it is able to create values for society. As well as, distinguish between visible and suppressed problems within the social structures that may need to be addressed. For instance, homelessness is indication of dysfunction in structural functionalism system.

It has its origins in the works of Emile Durkheim, who was especially interested in how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable. As such, it is a theory that focuses on the macro-level of social structure, rather than the micro-level of everyday life. Notable theorists include Herbert Spencer, Talcott Parsons, and Robert K. Merton. Functionalism interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole

In, Thinking About Sociology: A Critical Introduction (pp.364-387, 342-361). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press. Anderson, K. (2012). The Functionalist Perspective.

When discussing functionalism and conflict theory, one has to look at the beliefs of the theorists who created and contributed to these theories. One of the main theorist behind functionalism was Emilie Durkheim, while Karl Marx was the main proponent of conflict theory. These two theories both view society as a system of social structures and agree that these social structures exist within a society. However, they differ greatly in that functionalism views society as a large system working together for the good of the people. While conflict theory believes that society is set into place, and will vary depending on the wealth and power of the people involved (Dottin).

Most fields of science rely on theories to explain centrally important issues, such as social phenomena, that have a wide range of applications. Sociologists attempt to describe human society though their theories, such as the structural-functionalism theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionalism. While the three theories attempt to describe how society functions the way it does, all three differ in their views of how humans are related to society and each other. In the structural-functionalism, the dominant view is that if the structures that exist are functional, then those structures should be preserved and maintained. Structure-functionalists tend focus on the interrelatedness to the social structures that make up society.

Structural Functional Theory Structural functional theory is a macro sociological theory that is based on the characteristics of structures, social patterns, social systems and institutions such as education, religion, leisure, media, economy and politics. If all these social institutions are organized and co-operate with one another around a set of core values functionalist theorists assume that the entire social system will function properly and efficiently. Society in structural functional theory has a view that it is an organized system of interrelated parts that are held together by shared values and established social arrangements that help maintain the system to be in a state of balance and equilibrium. Structural functional theory is a broad perspective in sociology and anthropology which sets out to interpret society as a structure with interrelated parts. Functionalism addresses society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements; namely norms, customs, traditions and institutions (Vibha Desai, 2013).

By way of example, all three of the theoretical perspectives notably have idiosyncrasies about one another. As an illustration, structural functionalism is defined as Due to the fact that society consists of vital parts and systems they work in unison with each other to run smoothly. The people in the society contribute in myriad areas of interest in the process of structural functionalism. David Claerbaut states that these areas of interest, incorporate into society with: religion, economics, education, politics and family. On the other hand of living among each other actively working to create a seamless community we have the conflict theory.

It is the realization of self potential and talents of an individual for the benefit and continuity of society and life. SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE: The sociological theories have influenced education as a sociological institution with each of them influencing both the individual and the society’s view hence creating a social change

Education as an instrument of social change: One of the most formidable and potent tool of social change is Education. The society can bring about pertinent and much sought after desirable changes through education and modernize itself. By creating the right kind of ambience and by providing ample opportunities and experiences, education can enable an individual to cultivate and groom himself for adjustment with the emerging needs and philosophy of the changing society and aid in the can transformation of society as a whole. A sound social progress needs careful and meticulous planning in every dimension of life, be it political, economic, social and cultural. Education must be tailored to suit the needs of the society

Sociology of education is one of the specialized areas in sociology. The sociology of education has been important part of development of the discipline of sociology. In the context of sociology of education it can be define as the study of how public institutions and individual experiences affect education and its outcome. The word education itself proved that the aim of it is “to teach us how to think than what to think.” Sociology of education enable us to think critically about human social life and to keep asking questions concerning the sociological problems in education and understanding related concepts such as functions, progress, problems and the importance of good interaction between society and education systems.