Social structure and education

Abstract

This study attempts to summarize the views put forward by radical economists in the USA, concerning the functions of educational institutions in a capitalist society. The first part presents a brief outline of the reciprocal relations between social structure and the roles performed by educational institutions in precapitalist, capitalist and monopoly capitalist USA. The second part is conservative, liberal and radical views öf the roles played by educational institutions in the capitalist mode of production. The problems faced, the sources and remedies proposed from each point of view are also summarized. The last part explains radical views on the subject. It is claimed that educational institutions in a capitalist society basically fulfill the following functions; 1) They instill skills and attitudes which are complementary to the hierarchical structure of the social relations of production, and 2) They reproduce and legitimize class distinctions. This twofold function of education in a class society is 1) Progressive in that it heps develop the means of production and 2) Regressive in that by fostering in ideology of the system it supports class' distinctions. The social system reacts in a reciprocal relationship with these two educational functions. Education as a social institution heps in developing certain personality traits (dependability, internalization of norms respect of rules, motivation, docility, dominance, etc.) parallel to the hierarchy of social divisions of labor. Therefore school society reflects the vertical and horizontal differentiations in work relations. As an important socialization institution the family serves to reproduce patterns of class and culture from generation to generation. Education helps consolidate this socializationPublisher's Versio