Functionalism

Question 1

What is social solidarity?

Answer 1

Feeling part of a community bigger than yourself

Question 2

How does Durkheim describe schools in relation to society?

Answer 2

Argues that schools are society in miniature

Question 3

What do children learn in school that promotes social solidarity?

Answer 3

Interact with other members of the school community + follow rules

Question 4

How does school prepare children for adult life?

Answer 4

By teaching them to follow social rules and interact with society

Question 5

Give an example of how learning shared culture promotes social solidarity

Answer 5

History lessons → pupils feel belonging and commitment to the group

Question 6

Why is social solidarity important?

Answer 6

Without it, people would pursue selfish aims and not cooperate

Question 7

What is the evaluation for social solidarity?

Answer 7

• Functionalism are rose-tinted.
• School fails to pass on shared culture which can be seen as ethnocentric as it gives priority to the dominant culture
• More likely to divide people that unite them