Functionalist Perspective on Education Education Essay (Essay Sample)

Functionalist Perspective on Education
Name
Institution
Manifest functions of education are the intended end results that the institution is expected to achieve during and after going through the learning process. I would add conformity as a manifest function of education. This is because conformity teaches students to obey the school rules and thus advancing it to the respect of the societal rule of law and authority. Conformity leads to the production of experienced individuals from the education institutions who easily integrate within the society system as a whole (Ballantine, & Roberts, 2012) . It eventually prepares the students to become responsible members of the community.
Latent functions of education are the unintended consequences that come up due to the school system. Competition is a latent function of education in that learning institutions teach students to compete both academically and in other activities such as sports (Leon, 2011). Thus, learning to be the best one should outdo the rest. The second latent function I would add is the integration of students in the political arena. This is because, in learning institutions, students elect their representatives thus opening up their minds for politics. As a result of the education system, some hidden consequences result.