Learn: Education and Socialisation into Shared Values

Welcome!Welcome back! In our last lesson, we explored the role and function of education within society. Today, we'll build on that by learning how education helps with socialisation into shared values. Let's get started!

What is Socialisation?Socialisation is the process through which individuals learn the norms, values, and culture of their society. Education plays a key role in teaching these shared values, helping to create social cohesion and a sense of belonging.

Socialisation and EducationSchools are important agents of socialisation. They teach children the norms and values of society through both the formal curriculum (subjects like history and science) and the hidden curriculum (unspoken rules like punctuality and teamwork). This helps students understand their roles in society.

Shared Values in SocietyShared values are the core beliefs and principles that most members of society agree on. They help maintain social order and provide a sense of common identity. In education, shared values are often taught through subjects like citizenship, religious studies, and history.

Consensus and Conflict in EducationConsensus theories, like functionalism, argue that education promotes shared values to maintain social stability. In contrast, conflict theories, such as Marxism, suggest that education reinforces inequality by teaching values that benefit powerful groups in society. Both perspectives help us understand how education shapes socialisation.

Social Stratification and EducationSocial stratification refers to structured inequalities in society, such as class, gender, or ethnicity. Education can reproduce these inequalities, but it can also provide opportunities for social mobility. Some policies aim to reduce these inequalities by promoting equal access to education.

Globalisation and EducationGlobalisation has impacted education by introducing new ideas, values, and practices from around the world. For example, schools may teach students about global issues like climate change and diversity, encouraging an understanding of shared values on a global scale.

Review Time!Great work! We've covered how education helps socialise individuals into shared values, the hidden curriculum, consensus/conflict theories, and globalisation. Let’s review with some questions.