The Role of Education in Society as Discussed by Emile Durkheim, Pierre Bourdieu, and John W. Meyer

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Theorists have long discussed the value of education in society as evidenced by the writings of Emile Durkheim, Pierre Bourdieu, and more recently John W. Meyer. Emile Durkheim believed in the theory of structural functionalism and its ability to provide social order. Durkheim felt institutions were a social fact that made the machine of society work in an orderly fashion. Education, being an institution has a standard set of rules accepted by individuals. Schools provide social groups, making the individual part of a larger cohesive collective society that provides the individual with a social network. While Durkheim believed in an orderly society, he also recognized a need for an individual to be educated in a manner that enhances his aptitude for a particular skill. Durkheim felt diversity in society helps us to get along and perpetuate order. However, Durkheim also felt that society can only survive with a certain amount of homogeneity, and it is the role of education to pass on social norms for future generations. Durkheim recognized that political and social ideals c...

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