Structural functionalism is the on the opposite end of a philosophical spectrum from
conflict theory. They believe in personal responsibility and that education provides the best means for
social mobility. For example, a structural functionalist would believe the following about the following major
social institutions:
Family: socializes
children and
parents; provides affection and emotional support; regulates
sexual behavior; gives
legal status and social approval to
parenthood and
reproduction; helps determine social placement; "
instrumental" (men) and "
expressive" (women) role performance create efficient
division of labor
Religion: preserves and solidifies
society; creates a
community of believers; reinforces
social norms and social control; answers ultimate questions about the world; promotes social change
Education: "
manifest functions" - teaches skills; teaches values of society; selects and develops talented individuals; transmits new behavior skills, ideas, etc.; "
latent functions" - prolongs adolescence; establishes age segregation; acts as a babysitter
Politics: reflects common social values; established to protect and encourage societies values (esp. political
pluralist)
Economy: reflects social values; works to meet basic social and material needs of people.