Functionalist and Conflict Theories - Essay Example

Core values have been considered as the latent or hidden roles of education that reflect the characteristics that sustain the political and economic systems that fuel stimulated education.

Conflict theory has the same view on the functions of education as functional theory. It also agrees with the other theory that the educational system practices categorization, although it disagrees with how categorization is ratified. This theory sees education as a tool for preserving social inequality and maintaining the power of those who are at the top of the social ladder. Conflict theorists’ view on the education system is it perpetuates the upper classes by making the lower classes good followers. As property taxes fund most schools, better schools can be found in affluent districts. Students who go to these schools are mainly white and can afford to pay higher tuition than those from underprivileged districts. (Daniels, Lauder & Porter, 2009, p 116) This perpetuating cycle of socio-demographic variable – the wealthy remains wealthy and the poor stay poor – is what conflict theorists believe in. Read More