Theoretical Explanations of the relationship between education and work

Functionalism and the Relationship Between Education and Work

Functionalists view education as a means to prepare individuals for their future roles in the labour market.
They argue that education provides necessary skills and qualifications for different occupations, effectively serving as a bridge between childhood and adult working life.
Davis and Moore propose the functionalist concept of role allocation - education sifts and sorts individuals into employment based on their aptitude and ability.

Marxism and the Relationship Between Education and Work

Marxists see education as an institution that helps to maintain and reproduce capitalist exploitation within the workforce.
Education, according to Marxists, serves the capitalist system by producing compliant workers necessary for the economic system.
Bowles and Gintis specifically argue the correspondence principle, suggesting that education reflects the harsh realities of the capitalist workplace, including hierarchies and competition.

Feminism and the Relationship Between Education and Work

Feminist theories highlight how education plays a significant role in reproducing gender inequalities in the job market.
They argue that traditional school curriculum often reinforces gender roles and stereotypes that perpetuate discrimination in the workplace.
Stanworth noted that despite girls’ efforts and achievements in education, their career aspirations remained lower than those of boys, demonstrating how education perpetuates the undervaluing of women in the workforce.

Postmodernism and the Relationship Between Education and Work

Postmodernist theorists argue for a shift in the relationship between education and work due to the changing economic conditions and fluid identities in the postmodern society.
They claim that fixed roles and rigid educational structures no longer apply in a society that is characterised by diversity and rapid change.
Postmodernists like Usher and Edwards suggest a move towards more flexible, lifelong learning that equips individuals to adapt to changing career landscapes.

New Right and the Relationship Between Education and Work

New Right theorists advocate for a closer link between education and the needs of the economy, as they believe that competition and consumer choice drive up standards.
They argue for a market-driven education system, which they believe will make schools more responsive to the needs of employers.
Chubb and Moe argue that schools should be run like businesses, driven by consumer choice, and preparing students to function within a market economy.

The theoretical perspectives offer contrasting views on the relationship between education and work. Understanding these diverse perspectives enables us to critically evaluate the role of education in preparing individuals for work and its impact on wider society.