Sociology of Education - Relationship between education & society

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While the sociology of education may be seen as a sub discipline of sociology, it may also be considered one of the component sub disciplines of education.  Some writers have elaborated this bipartite character into a distinction between ‘the sociology of education’ and ‘educational sociology’. The first term suggests the primacy of sociology in providing a theoretical and methodological base for the examination of educational developments; the second emphasises education as providing the basis of a specialised sociological theory.

 

Important sociological theories of education                 

Sociological theories provide sociologists and policy makers with a framework to view educational systems in more depth and understand the research that sheds light on what happens in schools, enabling informed decisions about school policies.  The major theoretical approaches in sociology of education are micro-level interaction theories including symbolic interaction and rational choice theories, and macro-level functional and conflict theories, plus reproduction, resistance and feminist theories.

 

Symbolic interaction theory addresses two issues: the role of social interaction in reducing racial and ethnic hostility and how race and ethnicity are socially constructed.

While rational choice theory does not ignore symbols and interactions, the theory focuses on the assumption that there are costs and rewards involved in our individual decisions within the classroom and/or school.

The basic premise of conflict theory is that class-based conflict is an inherent and fundamental part of social interaction.

Functionalist theory argues that, for race and ethnic relations to be functional to society and thus contribute to the harmonious conduct and stability of that society, then racial and ethnic minorities, and women as well, must assimilate into that society.

Feminist theory refers to analyses that seek to understand the position of women in society for the purposes of bringing about liberating social changes. Feminist theory assumes that theory is important, not just because it analyses gender and society, but because it also assumes that change is essential to make women fully equal citizens.

 

Examples of sociological studies on education               

In The Communist Manifesto of 1848 Marx and Engels proclaimed that communists sought ‘to rescue education from the influence of the ruling class’.  By contrast with Comte and Le Play, they condemn ‘bourgeois claptrap about the family and education, about the hallowed correlation of parent and child’.  Amongst the proletariat, they remark, family life was impossible.  On achieving power the proletariat should include in theory immediate program ‘free education for all children in public schools.  Abolition of children’s factory labour in this present form.  Combination of education with industrial production, etc.’ Under communism, wrote Engels, the care and education of children is transferred from the family to become a public affair.

 

Conclusion

To understand how education systems work or don’t work – social scientists develop theories providing logical arguments to explain schools and society.  Theories inform research on education and provide valuable insights into levels of analysis.  Some theories have limited use, but others stand the test of time and have relevance beyond the immediate circumstances that generated them.