First and foremost, I would explain what functionalists views upon education are. We know that functionalist believe that education has a crucial role in society: helps to provide secondary socialisation, teaches norms and values etc 

The functionalist theory of education focuses on how education serves the needs of society through development of skills, encouraging social cohesion and sorting of students. According to functionalists, the role of schools is to prepare students for participation in the institutions of society.

Hi Meg, Functionalists view education as one of the more important social institutions in a society. 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. Functionalists recognize other ways that schools educate and enculturate students. Functionalists also contend that school, particularly in recent years, is taking over some of the functions that were traditionally undertaken by family. Society relies on schools to teach about human sexuality as well as basic skills such as budgeting and job applications—topics that at one time were addressed by the family.

This is quite a big question Meg so feel free to post further questions so I can help you to understand this huge area. Best wishes, Jess

Assess the contribution of functionalism to the study of education?

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