Consensus and Conflict Theories of Education

Consensus and Conflict Theories of Education What are the principal differences between consensus and conflict approaches to the sociological analysis of education? The sociological study of education focuses upon the effects that social institutions and individual characters have upon the education system. Education is often seen as positive social practice which thrives to identify personal skills and talents, and subsequently build upon them. Consensus social theorists support this approach with structural functionalism claiming education to have many positive functions. Education is essential to maintain the modern workforce. This view, however, is not universal; with Marxists taking a contradictory view that education works to reproduce social inequalities, therefore providing negative functions for society. This conflict approach claims that the education system does not promote equality but instead transmits capitalist norms and values, benefitting the ruling class and leaving the working class at a disadvantage. One of the main purposes of education, according to the consensus approach of functionalism, is that of socialization. This is described by Bilton (1996: 12) as the process through which individuals ‘learn the ways of thought and behaviour considered appropriate in society. Primary socialization is administered informally by the family. This process is then continued with the provision of a more formal style of secondary socialization by other institutions within society. According to Durkheim (1925) and Parsons (1959), both key consensus theorists, education plays an essential role in this secondary socialization, albeit in different ways, by performing functions that the family is unable to. This is done through the teaching of specific skills for specialised occupations, but also, possibly more importantly in Durkheims eyes, through the socialization of the common norms and values of society. The teaching of religious and historical beliefs helps to create a child with a sen se of identity within the community. Fulcher and Scott (2007: 321) feel it was, however, the moral aspect of the secondary socialization provided by the education system that concerned Durkheim the most. Through discipline within school, children are taught morally acceptable behaviour. However, rather than simply being forced to obey, it is essential that they are made to understand and appreciate the moral code of wider society, causing them to go on to choose to behave in a moral way. Hargreaves (1982) commented on the idea that the education system should promote social solidarity, the concept of providing pupils with a sense of community. Aspects of school, such as all wearing the same uniform and participating in group charity or sporting events help to provide pupils with a sense of belonging within the school, but also provide links with the wider community, and society as a whole. The moral significance of education is also recognised by Parsons; however it is the value of individual achievement which he focuses upon. This sense of achievement was the central aspect to a functioning industrial society in mid-twentieth-century America, where Parsons was studying. Although their approaches differed, both Durkheim and Parsons focused upon the positive functions of education for society. Another key concept in the consensus approach to the sociological study of education is that of meritocracy. That is the idea, endorsed by Parsons, of a social system in which rewards are gained for individual hard work, talent and ability. In such a situation, people would be rewarded for their effort, and not on the basis of other characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, class. Thus giving all children within the education system an equal opportunity to succeed. An example of an attempt to create a meritocratic school system is that of the tripartite system put in place by the 1944 Butler Act. By the creation of Grammar, Secondary and Secondary Technical schools the government was recognising the need for equality of opportunities, and therefore attempting to suit the abilities of children to right type of schooling. It also provided free education for all children between the ages of 5 and 15, regardless of their class background, emphasising this attempt to create equal op portunity. This system has been criticised, however, as even though it did mean that the 11+ was open to all, the test itself was said to be written in middle class language, therefore meaning that the working class were still left at a disadvantage. This led to it being said that the system was actually leaning towards Marxism, rather than functionalist ideas, as it appeared to reproduce social class inequalities. On the other hand, the conflict approach of Marxism opposes the view that we should assume that the education system serves to meet the needs of society as an entirety. Within society there is a significant conflict of interests, and therefore needs, between capital and labour. This demonstrates a capitalist society in which the ruling class owns the means of production, bringing them power over the working class. We should therefore, according to Marxists, not view education as meeting the needs of society as w hole, but instead as meeting the needs of the bourgeoisie. In order to maintain a state of false class consciousness, capitalism requires a workforce that is obedient, passive and motivated who are prepared to work hard at the benefit of the ruling class without question. According to Bowles and Gintis, the education system was the main means used by capitalism to produce such workers. The correspondence principle (1976: 131) claims that what working class students are taught in schools mirrors that of what goes in the workplace. The qualities that the workforce are required to have are taught to students in schools. This is done through the curriculum and the hidden curriculum (Illich, 1973 in Fulcher and Scott, 2007). Aside from the formal curriculum, the subjects which provide students with academic knowledge, vocational skills and qualifications, Illich identified a hidden curriculum. This hidden curriculum teaches pupils patterns of behaviour such as punctuality, meeting deadlines and accepting authority. The working class are unaware of this covert curriculum that is being imposed upon them. Along with the acceptance of hierarchy, the hidden curriculum also leads the working class to believe that they are part of a meritocratic society; in they will gain the rewards for working hard. Therefore meaning that they will conform in the hope of long term gratification, however it is just another way for the ruling class to keep them passive. It is also helps to justify inequality, as the working class are led to believe that everyone is equal, however, in reality; the middle class are receiving more encouragement. Another way in which the correspondence theory works is by connecting levels reached within the education system to that of occupational levels (Fulcher and Scott: 327). When in the lower levels of the education system, obedience is emphasized, as it is in low-level occupations. This pattern continued with intermediate levels in education when more independent work is encouraged. Once a student reaches higher education they are expected to be both self-motivated and self-disciplines, essentially a completely independent worker, just as those in senior levels of occupation. Therefore, the level a student reaches in education determines the occupational level they will stay at. This is another way in which education reproduces social inequalities. Bowles and Gintis, like the Marxist perspective in general, have however been criticised for being too deterministic. It is too presumptuous to claim that everyone is going to conform to the rules and remain passive. The education system, also, could not produce complete conformity of the working class without the support of the family. As can be seen there are a number of differences and varying ideas between the consensus and conflict approaches to the sociology of education, however they are all based on the idea that functionalism (a consensus approach) identifies education as providing society with positive functions, however the conflict approach recognises the education system as a negative body which reproduces social inequalities and is detrimental to the masses. Where functionalism sees education as meeting the needs of society as a whole, capitalism instead claims for it to serve the needs of the ruling class and ignore those of the rest of society. References Banks, O. 1978. The Sociology of Education. London: Batsford. Barton, L. And Walker, S. 2007. Sociological perspectives and the study of education. In: Meighan, R. and Harber, C. A Sociology of Educating. (Fifth Edition), London: Continuum. pp. 282-298. Bilton, T. et al. 1996. Introduction to Sociology. (Third edition), London: Palgrave Macmillan. Bowles, S. and Gintis, H. 1976. Schooling in Capitalist America: educational reform and the contradictions of economic life. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. Fulcher, J. and Scott, J. 2007. Sociology. (Third Edition), New York: Oxford University Press. Trowler, P. 2003. Education Policy. (Second Edition), London: Routledge.

Littlest Tigers

With rapid increase of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), the economies of Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea have earned the reputation of being the â€Å"Four Little Tigers† of Asia. These four countries, primarily under the influence of Chinese culture had shown rapid industrialization in the decades of 1960s and the 1990s. Since the twenty-first century these four states have come under the category of ‘developed’ states. These countries, which are now developed, had adopted an export-oriented pattern of development. Production for domestic use was discouraged by way of high tariffs. This, accompanied by emphasis on public education, went a long way in ensuring sustained rate of double-digit growth for many decades. Education enabled these countries to produce cheap, but productive workforce, which became their strength. Egalitarianism was encouraged by way of land reforms, which ensured that peasants were never left dissatisfied. The above-mentioned measures brought a lot of economic benefit to these countries. They soon discovered that they had a favorable balance of trade. Though these countries had mostly non-democratic political systems in the initial years, yet they managed to ensure high rate of savings amongst their citizens. This was possible by focusing exports mainly to richer industrialized countries. ‘Tigers’ symbolize freedom, strength and bravery. These four nations, in spite of poor economic conditions, had been bold enough to allow a completely free economic system. Their openness and manpower produced great results. Ranked according to GDP; South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore are placed at 12th, 21st, 36th and 44th respectively. According to the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom published in 2007: Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea hold the 1st, 2nd, 26th and 36th ranks respectively. References Asia's Four Little Tigers: a comparison of the role of education in their development http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/cced/1996/00000032/00000001/art00006 Industrialization and Welfare: The Case of the Four Little Tigers by James Midgley http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-9515.1986.tb00253.x `Four Tigers' offer varied opportunities for U.S. firms http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/1996/09/30/focus2.html   

The Tried and True Method for Overweight Essay Topics in Step by Step Detail

The Tried and True Method for Overweight Essay Topics in Step by Step Detail Overweight and obesity in kids and adults is an international epidemic. It is a major problem with it affecting children as well as adults. Volunteers Races wouldn't be possible without amazing volunteers. Standard exercise and change of diet can significantly enhance our wellness and well being and lessen the amount of health risks. Everything is dependent upon general state of well-being and reasons of overweight. If you're overweight or obese and want to get pregnant, speak to your medical care provider about slimming down first. In the past 20 decades, the obesity problems in the United States of america has come to be an extremely considerable problem. With regression to the mean several previously not obese folks will get obese merely since they live in an increasingly overweight society. Small changes in their everyday diets can have large help permitting you to reduce childhood obesity. Some folks continue to overeat as a normal routine within their everyday diet. Most people wouldn't look at that 5 pounds overweight is an important risk factor to their wellness. Becoming overweight can have an effect on penis health and may also create different challenges in bed. Becoming overweight doesn't necessarily imply extra fat. Becoming overweight also raises the risk of oligospermia and azoospermia in men. Becoming overweight or obese can make it more difficult to breathe and sleep. Only cats don't have the identical competition for food a multi-cat household might have. In addition, if your dog is severely overweight, your vet may have to help you design a custom made weight reduction program for your pet. Rather half an ho ur of physical activity helps not just to slim down but in addition give many additional benefits to the overweight individuals. If you improve your wellbeing and get rid of weight in the very long term then you may make sure you never secure erectile dysfunction. Though the main reason for obesity is underlying disorders, nevertheless, it's also closely linked to people lifestyles also. Well, there's a health definition of obesity, along with for the term overweight. If you're at risk for type two diabetes, losing weight can help stop or delay the start of diabetes. A few of the diseases that form as a consequence of being overweight include Blount's disease. Finding Overweight Essay Topics on the Web Surplus weight on your entire body causes unwanted metabolic results on your insulin levels and blood pressure. The reason for overweight conditions is whenever the energy intake from foods in greater than that which the body requirements. Becoming overweight is a significan t condition that could lead to many different maladies. Men and women that are overweight or obese often have health problems that might raise the risk for heart disease. Cancer happens when cells in 1 part of the human body, like the colon, grow abnormally or out of control. Without the appropriate sleep, the body can't adjust, making the individual's health system unstable, which may lead to hunger. On the flip side, drinking more water might be the pure result of a life-style shift. Possessing a sizable body size may boost blood pressure because your heart should pump more difficult to supply blood to all of your cells. To say that overweight is the consequence of overeating is similar to saying that a fire is the end result of a match. Often overweight men may realize that their penis appears to get shrunk in length a little. If you're overweight then it is probable your blood vessels aren't in optimum form. Heart disease is the major cause of death in the usa. You have to find the right set up for your house and get it installed. Thus, it's extremely important to look after the phone carefully. If you own a friend or relative who's over weight, don't forget to be kind. If you're overweight or obese you are most likely to have overweight or obese pals. Unfortunately neither statement is wholly correct. Then use the table below to figure out if you weigh too much. The Nuiances of Overweight Essay Topics Make it your weight-loss success story. Losing weight might help you reduce your blood pressure. Then you know you're gaining weight. Weight that is higher than that which is regarded as a wholesome weight for any given height is described as overweight or obese.

Bookstore Sample Business Plan - 4651 Words

Project in TLE IV BOOKKEEPING BUSINESS PLAN â€Å"TWICE SOLD TALES BOOKSTORE† by: IRENE F. RETITA 407 to: SIR MANNY LACHICA Bookkeeping Adviser Table of Contents Section 1 - Executive Summary 2 * Introduction 2 * Company 2 * Products/Services 2 * Market†¦show more content†¦Our facility is a former 8,000 square ft. furniture store which allows the company to stock a large amount of inventory. Products/Services Twice Sold Tales will offer a wide range of book, magazine, and music selections. This includes just about every conceivable category including fiction, non-fiction, business, science, children s, hobbies, collecting, and other types of books. Our music selection will concentrate on CD s as these are the most popular and take up the least amount of floor space. In addition, we will be offering a competitive buy and trade service to assist in lowering our inventory acquisition costs and making our store more attractive to our customers. In addition, we offer a search and order service for customer seeking to find hard to get items. Twice Sold Tales will have a relaxed reading room type atmosphere that we will encourage through the placement of chairs, couches, etc. Market Our market is facing a decline in growth over the past two years. This is attributed to the overall weak economy. Book store industry sales rose only 3.6% for last year whereas overall Philippines retail sales grew by 4.3%. However, management believes that this may be an advantage to the used bookstore industry. As customers cut back on purchasing, used bookstores will look more attractive to customers who still wish to purchase books. 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