Schooling: Importance and inequality

          Sociological theories can be used to describe many social processes, and clearly, we can analyze schooling using them. There many macro and micro theories available to us, but we will use two theories to shed some light on our praise as well as criticism of schooling. 

          So, let us see the importance of schooling using the Structural-functionalism theory. It states that “society is in a state of balance and kept that way through the function of society's component parts” (Hammond, 2010). According to it, the problems in the society can be taken in a similar way like dysfunctions in our body. We can identify the dysfunctions and use our understanding to correct them. As far as societies are concerned, most of them actually find the equilibrium and retain it. Now, if we relate it with schooling, someone with more years of schooling will certainly be more aware of social harmony, will have a better understanding of personal and collective needs of the society, an improved sense of mutual cooperation and open-minded thinking. If such people are in large number in the society, they will find the balance more easily, unlike the historical cases where lack of understanding have resulted in even social collapse. So, schooling is an important aspect of having social balance; higher the average years of schooling, higher is the probability of social harmony.

          Now, from the opposite point of view, we have another Sociological theory that can be applied to see how schooling gives continuity to social inequality. The Conflict Theory states that “that those who have perpetually try to increase their wealth at the expense and suffering of those who have not” (Hammond, 2010). This theory, when applied to schooling, reiterates the same process. People holding the larger resources have access to better schooling, while those, who do not have, have to even drop out of schools due to their inability to afford good education. The richer ones can easily send their children to better institutions and provide them every possible facility paving the way for a stable future. With a lot of money at their disposal, they do not even have the pressure to succeed in studies or finding a job. On the contrary, the poor ones have to think of their socio-economic status before thinking of joining any elite institution for higher education. In addition, they have to handle the pressure to be as much competitive with apparently less amount of resources to help them. In this way, schooling gives continuity to the trend of social inequality.  

          So, this was a general overview of how schooling influences our society. It actually depends on our personal perception to realize how important or unfair it is. Nevertheless, one thing is true for sure; it is always better to be educated, regardless of your socio-economic status.

Reference:

Hammond, Dr. R.J. (2010), Social Theories, Introduction to Sociology (Smashwords Edition), p. 17-27

 © Dixit Bhatta 2013