Short Answer

Émile Durkheim views education as a social institution that helps in creating social unity and maintaining order in society. According to him, education is not just about learning knowledge but also about learning the rules, values, and norms of society.

Durkheim believes that education helps in socialization by shaping individuals into responsible members of society. It teaches discipline, moral values, and cooperation, which are necessary for the stability and functioning of society.

Detailed Explanation:

Durkheim view on education

Education as socialization

Émile Durkheim, a famous sociologist, strongly believed that education is a key part of society. According to him, education is mainly a process of socialization. Socialization means learning how to behave in society and follow its rules and values.

Durkheim said that children are naturally individualistic, but education helps them become social beings. Schools teach children how to cooperate with others, respect authority, and follow rules. In this way, education transforms individuals into responsible members of society.

He believed that without education, society cannot function properly because people would not learn shared values and norms. Education helps individuals understand what society expects from them.

Education and social solidarity

One of the most important ideas of Durkheim is social solidarity. Social solidarity means unity and harmony among members of society. He believed that education plays a very important role in creating this unity.

Through education, individuals learn common values, beliefs, and traditions. These shared ideas help people feel connected to each other. Schools teach subjects like history, civic education, and moral values, which help students understand their society and develop a sense of belonging.

Durkheim said that education creates a “collective conscience,” which means shared beliefs and values that hold society together. Without this, society would become unstable.

Moral education

Durkheim gave great importance to moral education. He believed that education is not only about intellectual development but also about moral development. Moral education teaches individuals what is right and wrong according to society.

Schools help students learn discipline, honesty, respect, responsibility, and cooperation. These moral values are necessary for maintaining order in society. According to Durkheim, moral education helps control selfish behaviour and promotes social harmony.

He believed that teachers play an important role as moral guides. They help students understand social rules and behave properly in society.

Education as a social institution

Durkheim considered education as a social institution that reflects the needs of society. He said that education is not independent; it is shaped by society. The content of education, such as subjects, values, and rules, depends on what society needs.

For example, industrial society needs disciplined and skilled workers, so education trains individuals accordingly. In traditional societies, education focuses more on cultural values and customs.

This shows that education changes with society and helps in maintaining social order.

Role in discipline and order

Durkheim also believed that education teaches discipline. Discipline means following rules and controlling behaviour. Schools teach students to follow schedules, respect teachers, complete tasks, and behave properly.

This discipline helps individuals adjust to social life. It prepares them for future roles in workplaces and society. According to Durkheim, without discipline, society would become disorganized.

Education also helps in maintaining social order by reducing deviant behaviour. It teaches individuals to follow laws and respect social norms.

Criticism and importance

Although Durkheim’s view is very important, some critics say that education can also create inequality in society. However, Durkheim focused more on the positive role of education in maintaining unity and order.

His ideas are still important in sociology because they explain how education helps in building social stability. He showed that education is not only about personal development but also about social development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Émile Durkheim views education as a social institution that helps in socialization, moral development, and social solidarity. He believes education teaches discipline, shared values, and cooperation, which are essential for maintaining social order and unity in society.