Marxism and the Role of Education

Marxism and the Role of Education

The role of education is to educate individuals within society and to prepare and qualify them for work in the economy as well as helping to integrate individuals into society and teach them the norms, values and morals of society. Yet there are three sociological theories that differ greatly between them on the role of education. These are Functionalism, Marxism and Liberalism. Examine the Marxist view that the role of the education system is to reproduce and justify the existing class structure. In this essay I am going to examine the Marxist view that the role of the education system is to reproduce and justify the existing class structure. Marxists see the educational system as a mechanism for maintaining class inequalities, for example the reproduction of the capitalist system. The capitalist system is one where by the rich (the bourgeoisie) stay rich and the poor (the proletariat) stay poor. Marxists do not believe in meritocracy, this is where the educational system gives equal opportunities to everyone despite their background. They believe that education is designed to help and benefit the bourgeoisie. They believe that schools and teachers reject working class pupils and so the working class pupils will not perform to their highest capabilities. Bowles and Gintis were two Marxists who did not agree... Evaluate the Marxist Perspective on the role of education. Marxist perspectives place stress upon the role the schools play in preparing children for their future working role in terms of both skill and values. The crucial factor is that Marxists see education as a means of exploitation of the population by the ruling class. Bowles and Gintis examine the values, which they claim underlie the subjects taught in schools. They suggest that the prime purpose is to produce a willing, subservient workforce, which will continue to help make profits for the ruling class and not challenge their dominance in society. In Schooling in Capitalist America, they argue...

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