Durkheim says three things:

1. That education transmits societies norms and values

2. history creates a link between the individuals and society

3. Because of these, it leads to social solidarity which is the sense of belonging in a community

Durkheim also goes on about how education is like a 'mini society'. It is where children learn to interact with others and to follow set rules. This in turn prepares them to accept the social rules when becoming an adult member of society which leads to value consensus.

School prepares children for the transition between their particularistic standards (what is expected in narrow society) and ascribed status of the family to the universalistic standards (what is expected in wider society) and achieved status of society.

Meritocracy was a word coined by Parsons to describe the view that If you work hard you will achieve. Therefore status is achieved on the basis of merit (or worth). There is a differential reward fordifferential achievement results in highly motivated and achievement-orientated workforce for example, being given mock exam results. Value consensus of achievement is important.

A weakness in Parson’s study would be that he didn’t take into account Becker’s labelling theory. Becker’s theory indicated that when a student receives a label they fulfil it, he called this self-fulfilling prophecy. So for example statistics show that certain groups of young people don’t achieve as well as others, white working class males are seen to be out performed by the majority of other groups. This could link to Becker’s theory as if they are being told they aren’t going to achieve they don’t try as hard and therefore fulfil this prophecy themselves by not achieving. But this doesn’t always have to be the case. Sociologist Mirza had the theory of the self-refuting prophecy where people are seen to refute and fight against the label they are given and not fulfil it by showing resilience and proving people wrong.

History creates the link between the individual and society.

This leads to SOCIAL SOLIDARITY

SOCIAL SOLIDARITY- Belonging to a community and feeling that social unit is more important than the individual.

Value consensus- Follow a set rule preparing children to become adult members of society to accept social rules. Leading to everyone having the same VALUES.

Parsons Bridge Theory, enables value consensus and social solidarity.

Particularistic standards- Rules and values applied to give priority to personal relationship.

Universalistic standards-Rules and values, applied to all members of society, no matter who they are.

Status is achieved on the basis of Merit/Worth

Differential rewards for different achievement results. Leading to higher motivation and achievment

Parsons basis his theory on the same people (white middle class males) and belives that someones intellegance is all down to how well they look on paper.

Parsons doesnt base his theory on different types of opportunitys children get.

Davis and moore theory base importance 

on how much money they earn.

Both theories are outdated.

Social stratification ensures the most talented and able individuals are allocated to functionally most important roles.

High rewards for high positions

weaknesses:

-high positions aren't always rewarded.

-goes against meritocracy