![]() One of the roles of schools in the United States is fostering self-esteem conversely, schools in Japan focus on fostering social esteem-the honoring of the group over the individual. In countries such as Japan and China, where the good of the group is valued over the rights of the individual, students do not learn as they do in the United States that the highest rewards go to the “best” individual in academics as well as athletics. values students in the United States learn is that of individualism-the valuing of the individual over the value of groups or society as a whole. Latent Functions: Hidden, unstated functions with sometimes unintended consequencesįunctionalists recognize other ways that schools educate and enculturate students. Manifest Functions: Openly stated functions with intended goals According to functionalist theory, education contributes both manifest and latent functions. In 2011, the Occupy Wall Street movement swept across college campuses all over the United States, leading to demonstrations in which diverse groups of students were unified with the purpose of changing the political climate of the country. There is ample opportunity for social and political advocacy, as well as the ability to develop tolerance to the many views represented on campus. The educational system, especially as experienced on university campuses, has traditionally provided a place for students to learn about various social issues. Another latent function is the ability to work with others in small groups, a skill that is transferable to a workplace and that might not be learned in a homeschool setting. Of course, with social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn, these networks are easier than ever to maintain. The educational setting introduces students to social networks that might last for years and can help people find jobs after their schooling is complete. For example, you might notice an attractive fellow student when he gives a particularly interesting answer in class-catching up with him and making a date speaks to the latent function of courtship fulfilled by exposure to a peer group in the educational setting. As you well know, much goes on in a school that has little to do with formal education. Latent FunctionsĮducation also fulfills latent functions. A student might value business courses over a class in Victorian poetry because she sees business class as a stronger vehicle for financial success. As a result, college students are often more motivated to study areas that they believe will be advantageous on the social ladder. ![]() College and graduate schools are viewed as vehicles for moving students closer to the careers that will give them the financial freedom and security they seek. This function is referred to as social placement. Įducation also provides one of the major methods used by people for upward social mobility. The teacher’s authority in the classroom is a way in which education fulfills the manifest functions of social control. Fulfillment of this function rests primarily with classroom teachers and instructors who are with students all day. This function also prepares students to enter the workplace and the world at large, where they will continue to be subject to people who have authority over them. Obviously, such respect, given to teachers and administrators, will help a student navigate the school environment. One of the roles of schools is to teach students conformity to law and respect for authority. School systems in the United States also transmit the core values of the nation through manifest functions like social control. Today, since the culture of the United States is increasingly diverse, students may learn a variety of cultural norms, not only that of the dominant culture. In the early days of compulsory education, students learned the dominant culture. This socialization also involves learning the rules and norms of the society as a whole. ![]() Indeed, it seems that schools have taken on this responsibility in full. ![]() The French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858–1917), who established the academic discipline of sociology, characterized schools as “socialization agencies that teach children how to get along with others and prepare them for adult economic roles” (Durkheim 1898). Beginning in preschool and kindergarten, students are taught to practice various societal roles. There are several major manifest functions associated with education. They contend that education contributes two kinds of functions: manifest (or primary) functions, which are the intended and visible functions of education and latent (or secondary) functions, which are the hidden and unintended functions. Functionalism Functionalists view education as one of the more important social institutions in a society. ![]()
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