Structural Functionalism In Schools

Decent Essays
Hello, This is a pretty controversial topic considering there are a total of four perspectives when looking at it. I will start by saying that in my opinion structural functionalism is the best explanation as to why some students are admitted and others are not. In the book it says, “structural functionalism assumes that society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate structures.” When pertaining to admissions into colleges and universities it just simply means that if you are worthy and well-qualified you are admitted, on the other hand, if you do not have what it takes you will not be. Now let me discuss why I think this perspective, in my opinion, relates closely to our real world. In this case

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    An editorial article, “5 Myths About Who Gets Into College”, published in the Washington Post on May 23, 2010, is an informative and detailed overview of the admission process for selective colleges and universities in America written by Richard Kahlenberg. The author makes a credible argument which he strongly builds up throughout the article by effectively incorporating logos and ethos in the effort to address sensitive topics such as legacy admissions, class-based preferences, and the existing gap in the socioeconomic diversity in selective universities. Kahlenberg makes a persuasive argument backing up the analytical assessment with evidence-based research from credible sources, primarily building his argument on logos and ethos, and effectively…

    • 232 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    We all have heard colleges telling applicants that they approach each and every application holistically because they want to get to know each potential incoming student as a whole. It is easy to find comfort in that but we all know it is only true for certain colleges and certain groups of people. Groups of people such as really rich white’s who have the wealth to donate great amount of fortune to a college and bribe them into acceptances. In my Satire Skit, I am mocking the wealthy white’s that do not deserve to be accepted to any higher education Institution but because the world runs on money, they are perfect in the eyes of many.…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    College Overhaul

    • 1208 Words
    • 5 Pages

    From as early as middle school the educational system begins to ingrain how important going to college is for each individual, whether they attend a trade school, community college, or university. Students take tests that suggest where they are more knowledgeable, what they are more interested in, what field they are more likely to succeed in. This sets up each individual to discover their interests and hone the necessary skills to ultimately get accepted into the college of their choice. For some this requires a lot more work than others. In “Why Elite-College Admissions Need an Overhaul” composed by Jonathan R. Cole, the John Mitchell Mason Professor of the University of Columbia and author of Toward a More Perfect University, explains…

    • 1208 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Identify each person’s class, race, and gender. Class: Lower Race: Haitian American (migrated to the U.S. in 2000) Gender: Male I will be calling my first interviewee Jason.…

    • 975 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The first is functionalist who see it was that we need people who can’t be doctors or lawyers so we can have them do other jobs so that our community can function better. Its like of people aren’t plumbers or electricians then we can’t make house or fix issues that happen with them. So there is a need for people that can do well in that job skill to help the community to function on a better base. Functionalist see that as there is more diversity there is more competition for people to do there best to show who’s better as a unit and as an individuals. Functionalist see that the U.S. system for education has everything set specifically so that what ever is done to students they are able to function and better help develop a community.…

    • 1762 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the article “Is College Worth it” the writer provides surprising data stating that people who decided to attend college and graduate are more likely to help reduce the financial strain on society. Hrabowski author of “College Prepare People for Life” emphasize that by enrolling in college, students can learn and develop vital skills, which can later be used to help contribute to their communities (260). While college not only helps individual develop new skills, it provides excellent rates of return. Owen and Sawhill author of “Should Everyone Go to College” mentions that the rates of return by attending college is significantly better than those with only a high school diploma, therefore, the benefit of attending college and earning a…

    • 1243 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Personal Religious Beliefs

    • 1095 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Life needs foundational assumptions and framework of guiding principles to provide thinking with a basic stability, shape and structure. Accordingly, worldviews are the single greatest influence on the way I interpret my experiences and respond to those experiences. This can be characterized by the fact that individuals who live in the same neighborhood with very similar experiences of the world around them can come to such radically different conclusion pertaining a given…

    • 1095 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Spiritual Journey For my paper, I will be covering and exploring scientific theories that are then applied to my personal life experiences to form a sort of hybrid story/academic research paper, which I feel suits perfectly my strong character traits of constant hesitation. I will bring to mention my personal philosophies, past/present dependency problems, acute depression, and individual spiritual experiences which were able to defy my understanding of science, and thus exist without empirical explanation. When I think of one’s reality, I try to see things from every angle, yet admittedly do not, but I am confident many others are trapped in this single-viewed paradox. I am not fond of the terms human nature and the potential assumptions…

    • 2567 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “The Assault on Colleges - and the American Dream” Ideally, college sets students up for success in the real world: teaching the necessary skills and connecting them with people from heterogeneous backgrounds and experiences. However, state cuts in funding for higher education has caused many colleges to replace lower income students with those who can pay full tuition. Without lower income students, campuses will lack diverse ideas and experiences, increasingly becoming a homogeneous mixture of students, rather than a heterogeneous one. While some students have the advantage of affluence, many students rely on public colleges and their financial assistance to garner a more affordable education.…

    • 248 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Effects on Classroom Structure on Student Achievement goals Orientation, by Shannon R. Self-Brown and Samuel Mathews II, was published in The Journal of Educational Research in 2003. In the study, Self-Brown and Mathews wanted to study the effect of how three different types of classroom structures affect the goals that students set for themselves. In today’s schools students consistently show a lack of motivation. They take for granted the educational opportunity that is in front of them.…

    • 1157 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When someone blurts out the word “high school”, what’s your first initial thought? I don’t know about you, but “cliques” are the first thought to my mind. The media is drowning in films that portray the idea of “cliques”, but personally, I believe the film Mean Girls is the best representation of the world of cliques. Means Girls is a teen classic, and I can almost bet the majority of my generation has seen or at least heard of it. It is American teen comedy film that manifests the harsh conditions teens undergo when it comes to high school cliques.…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In a society where you cannot pick out the smartest person in the room based on appearances, there needs to be a sorting mechanism in place to do that. If you are a theory one person, you believe “college is, essentially, a four-year intelligence test” where a student’s abilities are tested, and after four years, “graduates get a score, the G.P.A.” (74). This score is used by employers to weigh the intelligence, and everything that goes with it, of an applicant, so they can effectively rule out less qualified people. A theory one person should be worried about how college has become a possibility for everyone because it will devalue a degree. If the degree is devalued, the sorting mechanism will be flawed because it can no longer separate people.…

    • 1382 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    They believe that the education system is unequal but because society is full of inequalities. They believe that because inequalities exist, it is for the good of society. However, this is not the case. An example of this is that white and black people are treated unequal and this is not good for society. By people seeing a person of different colour skin to them, they may act racist and this is now illegal.…

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Structural functionalism is the theory that as a society grows larger the parts become a more complex and more specialized. The structural-functionalist approach is the idea in sociology that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote equilibrium and stability. The theory says that our lives are led by social structures, which are based off of patterns of social behavior. Social structures help give form to our lives and society through families, the community, and religious establishments. The orientation of functionalism is on a macro type of scale.…

    • 839 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Education can be a powerful tool to have. Without education life can be very challenging. Honoring knowledge and grasping the ability of its power leads to growth of mental capabilities. The more knowledge one obtains the higher is his magnification of existence. Being educated is almost assured a fair exchange of usable goods over a life time.…

    • 1362 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays